Wildlife Trade

Songbird Trapping in the Mediterranean

Millions of songbirds are illegally trapped along Mediterranean migration routes each year, causing mass mortality and population declines.

Key Facts

An estimated 25 million birds are illegally killed or captured in the Mediterranean annually
Cyprus, Malta, Egypt, and Italy are among the highest-impact trapping zones
Lime sticks and mist nets capture birds indiscriminately, including protected species
Blackcaps, robins, and thrushes are among the most targeted species for consumption
Despite EU protections, enforcement remains weak and prosecutions rare

Welfare Considerations

Trapped birds experience acute distress, exhaustion, and injury. Many die in traps before collection. The scale of illegal trapping represents one of the largest direct mortality threats to European migratory songbirds. Species already stressed by habitat loss face additional population pressure.

What You Can Do

Report wildlife trapping when traveling in Mediterranean regions to local authorities
Support organizations such as BirdLife Malta and CABS (Committee Against Bird Slaughter)
Advocate for stronger EU enforcement and cross-border anti-poaching cooperation