SEO Riders:
– Illegal bird killings in Europe and the Mediterranean
– BirdLife International’s “The Killing 3.0” report findings
– Conservation efforts to protect migratory birds from illegal trade
A recent report by BirdLife International and EuroNatur reveals that millions of birds continue to be illegally killed each year across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, with most countries failing to meet their pledge to halve illegal bird killings by 2030. The study, titled “The Killing 3.0,” highlights that 38 out of 46 assessed countries are not on track to meet their commitments under the Rome Strategic Plan 2020–2030. Species such as the European Turtle Dove, Egyptian Vulture, and European Goldfinch are among those most affected by illegal shooting, trapping, and poisoning.
The report underscores that overexploitation, including illegal killing, taking, and trade (IKB), is a leading driver of global bird extinctions, second only to habitat loss. Despite international agreements like the Bern Convention and the Convention on Migratory Species, enforcement remains weak, and profit-driven motives continue to fuel these illegal activities. Conservationists are calling for urgent, coordinated cross-border actions to address this crisis and protect migratory bird populations along their flyways.
