This year again, the LPO (Ligue pour la protection des oiseaux) deplores the shooting of birds belonging to protected species and cowardly slaughtered by hunters. Since the beginning of 2017, 68 X-rays have been carried out on injured birds sent to the Regional Wildlife Conservation Center of Villeveyrac managed by the LPO Hérault and have identified 16 protected birds victims of hunting shots ( of which 8 outside the hunting season …). Among the victims: six variable Buzzards, a Black Kite, a European Sparrowhawk, a Northern Goshawk, a Common Hawk, two Common Kestrels, a Short-toed Whitebird (raptor feeding mainly on reptiles), a Little Bustard (rare species subject to a National Action Plan), etc.
Strong suspicions hover over other birds: traces of sinkers in the feathers, wounds with an entry and exit. However, in order to be able to officially attribute these wounds to hunting and to refer to the National Office of Hunting and Wildlife, radiographic evidence is necessary. Unfortunately, only four birds survived on all these animals that were greeted and seriously wounded: a Buzzard was able to be healed and released, a Northern Goshawk, a Hobby Falcon and a Short-toed White-hawk are still at risk.
Translated from French http://herault.lpo.fr/deja-16-oiseaux-proteges-victimes-de-chasse/
Say NO! to France 