Conservationists regularly draw attention to the sharp decline of native bird species. However, the animals cannot expect any help from the authorities, because even protected species are allowed to hunt by notification. But bird lovers are now raising money to take allegedly illegal reports to court.
In Austria, the native bird population has declined by an average of around 40 percent over the past twenty years, the bird protection organization ‘Bird Life’ recently announced. Habitats are shrinking and food in the form of insects is decreasing – these are the main reasons why the daily bird concert outside our windows is becoming increasingly quiet.
And yet, even strictly protected bird species can still be shot if the responsible district authorities issue a corresponding decision. But there could be arbitrariness and even illegality here, as “Tierschutz Austria” notes in a broadcast.
The official veterinarian is shocked
“As a former official veterinarian, I can hardly believe my eyes when I read these announcements. It is unbelievable how willing the authorities are to respond to calls and are willing to break the law,” confirms veterinarian Rudolf Winkelmayer in the organization’s statement. He supports the referendum “For a federal hunting law“ and hopes that the population will become aware of his concerns: “We must not leave our bird world unprotected to the arbitrary power of the authorities.”
30 euros per objection
The supporters of the referendum want to combat the alleged illegal shootings by appealing to the courts, but that costs time and money: 30 euros is due per complaint! The goal now is to raise money through a crowdfunding campaign so that as many of these cases as possible can be brought to court.
Why this is important is described in the broadcast using two examples. In Salzburg, for example, district hunters issued notices to kill nearly 5,000 birds – based on Deputy Governor Marlene Svazek’s “Bird Shooting Plan Ordinance”.
Murders without reason?
But according to the animal rights activists’ statement, none of these statements provide a reason why these birds should be killed. However, the Administrative Law Act requires that decisions be justified, and even the urban development ordinance explicitly requires this and makes it clear that “the hunting option may only be used in cases that are actually necessary”. A statement from the Salzburg state government requested by the “Krone” had not yet been made at the time of going to press.
An example from Upper Austria also raises questions about “Tierschutz Austria”: around 3,000 wood pigeons are shot here every year during the breeding season. This means that their chicks will starve in the nests. Ostensibly this is to protect the soybean crop.
According to the NGO’s press release, figures from the responsible Chamber of Agriculture show that this connection apparently does not exist: from 2021 to 2022, the damage caused by feeding pigeons with soy was reduced by as much as 95 percent by shooting. During the breeding season in 2021 (and in the years before), as many wood pigeons were killed as in 2022…
Wood pigeon must give up
The animal rights activists accuse the district authorities of making up “facts” as they see fit: depending on when shooting is desired, soybean sowing should probably take place in early March in one decision and mid-May in the other decision. . Terminations must also be issued retroactively for a number of weeks, valid for a maximum of six months (leaving only February as a closed season for wood pigeons) and then for several years.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
