Booted Eagle saved Project support for 2012 Spring ... - LIPU-UK

SARDINIA – POACHINGLIPU Press release 9 January 2012Sardinia. Volunteers at an anti-poaching camp havebeen threatened, then attacked with stones. LIPUhas identified the offenders and is taking civil action.“Get lost you *****, we’re going to kill you.” “Leaveus alone, you *****.” These threats were made toLIPU volunteers by poachers near Capoterra andAssemini, in the Basso Sulcis area of Sardinia, wherean anti-poaching camp is at work. The volunteersmanaged to dodge a hail of stones thrown at them bypoachers, although a car was hit by a rock smashingone of its windows. “We are victims of violent andunacceptable behaviour”, says Fulvio MamoneCapria, president of LIPU BirdLife Italy, whowas working at the camp. “Some of the poachershave been identified from previous reports to theCarabinieri. We are taking legal action”, he continues,“to have these poachers banned from the areas wherethey lay their traps, and to have them charged withthreatening behaviour. In future we will need to takeprecautions to avoid a repetition of such aggression.”“We are combing the area alongside our colleaguesfrom the Committee Against Bird Slaughter(CABS), who have joined us from all over Italy.Searching even off the beaten track, we havemade safe thousands of traps laid on the groundand up in the trees” says Giovanni Malara, LIPUanti-poaching director and camp co-ordinator.“Recently we discovered tens of dead birds, includingRobins, Hawfinch, thrushes, Blue Tits, GreatTits, Blackbirds, and even a Sparrowhawk, foundhanging from a branch, its leg caught in a snare. TheAli Spring 12Page 13