Serbia sees over 1,600 illegal bird incidents in six years, report finds

Serbia has documented a significant number of illegal activities targeting wild birds, with 1,647 cases recorded between 2017 and 2023. These incidents encompass illegal hunting, trapping, poisoning, and trade, affecting a total of 5,487 birds across 201 species. However, experts from the Society for the Protection and Study of Birds of Serbia (DZPPS) believe this figure represents only about 10% of the true scale of the problem.

The report, released nearly a decade after the previous one, highlights that while public and media attention to the issue has grown, the outcomes of these events frequently lack identified perpetrators and final convictions. This failure to hold individuals accountable undermines Serbia's nature protection laws and deprives the public of crucial information about the organized crime impacting the country's biodiversity.

While the number of reported cases has increased due to the continuous work of ornithologists, reporting to authorities, and improved field operations, perpetrators are becoming more adept at concealing their actions. This makes detection more difficult, potentially creating a false impression of fewer incidents. The report indicates a stagnation in addressing the problem, which remains widespread across Serbia.

Slobodan Marković, an ornithologist at DZPPS, noted a positive shift in societal attitude, with illegal bird killing now viewed as a serious offense rather than isolated criminal acts. Citizens are more aware and increasingly report such activities. However, he stressed the need for decisive steps to combat these practices effectively.

The DZPPS has proposed concrete recommendations to relevant institutions to tackle the key issues hindering the reduction of illegal activities against birds and other wildlife. The report underscores that despite some progress, significant challenges remain in protecting Serbia's avian populations.

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The biggest progress in the past period is the creation of a social atmosphere in which the illegal killing of birds is seen as a serious and unacceptable act, not just an isolated case of crime. Citizens have become more aware of the problem and increasingly report such activities.