Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) |
I first volunteered for the Committee Against Bird Slaughter back in 2006 and have every year I could since! I was accepted to join their annual bird migration camp in Brescia, Northern Italy. Like most, I was quite unaware of the scale of illegal poaching which occurs along one of our most important European bird migration routes! What shocked me even more was that their target species were manly our cherished European song birds such as Robins, Thrushes and Wrens. All destined to be eaten as a local delicacy!
The sale of wild birds in butchers shops and restaurants is now totally forbidden but unfortunately in Italy under the counter sales of wild birds still continues.
The sale of wild birds in butchers shops and restaurants is now totally forbidden but unfortunately in Italy under the counter sales of wild birds still continues.
My experience with CABS
On arriving in Rovato, Brescia I was warmly greeted by Axel (staff member), we checked in to some very comfortable accommodation and headed out to the local pizzeria. You could be mistaken in thinking this was a holiday, trust me I was in for a rude awakening! In tha days that followed I endured some of the toughest hiking you could imagine! often in remote areas, away from any trails, at altitude, over rough terrian and sometimes through dense brambles in search of bird traps. What you soon learn is these traps are very difficult to locate, the poachers are very adapted at hiding them and covering their tracks. The teamleaders deserve a great deal of respect and righly so, they have learnt the art of finding traps through many years of hard work volunteering. There are days when you come back empty handed but this just makes you more determined! When your team does finally discover traps there is a real sense of group achievement and if this then leads to a poacher being apprehended by the police well thats a job very well done! High fives all round!
Personally I have found volunteering for CABS a real privilege. You really are on the frontline fighting for our wildlife heritage and getting to meet and work with some wonderful people at the same time! If you would like to get involved you will find links to the CABS website below.
Personally I have found volunteering for CABS a real privilege. You really are on the frontline fighting for our wildlife heritage and getting to meet and work with some wonderful people at the same time! If you would like to get involved you will find links to the CABS website below.
About CABS
Alexander Heyd with a lucky Robin
The Commitee Against Bird Slaugher is a german organisation based in Bonn. CABS have achieved a great deal since its foundation in 1975. They intervene when bird trappers, hunters or animal traders commit offences against current European nature protection legislation. In addition, through initatives at parliamentary level, they attempt to achieve improvements in the legal guidelines for wildlife, nature and species protection.
CABS organise and execute well organised operations in many European countrys where migrant birds are illegally persecuted through the use of traps, nets, lime sticks or are shot. They always operate hand in hand with local conervationists and the police. In Italy, France, on Malta and Cyprus and of course Germany! They annaully collect more than 50,000 mist nets and traps, monitor hundreds of hunters and support the police in bringing illegal poachers to justice.
For futher infomation on the all the brillant work carried out by the Committee Against Bird Slaughter please click on the link below. Please remember they are always very grateful for donations!
CABS organise and execute well organised operations in many European countrys where migrant birds are illegally persecuted through the use of traps, nets, lime sticks or are shot. They always operate hand in hand with local conervationists and the police. In Italy, France, on Malta and Cyprus and of course Germany! They annaully collect more than 50,000 mist nets and traps, monitor hundreds of hunters and support the police in bringing illegal poachers to justice.
For futher infomation on the all the brillant work carried out by the Committee Against Bird Slaughter please click on the link below. Please remember they are always very grateful for donations!
Get involved
Me with other volunteers - Camp 2006
Together with its local and international partner organisations, CABS conducts large scale bird protection operations during spring and autumn migration in Italy and on Cyprus and Malta.
Each year more than 200 volunteer bird lovers from all over Europe participate in these operations. Together they collect or dismantle between 25,000 and 30,000 bird traps and nets, and help bring hundreds of poachers to justice.
To participate it is important to be mentally and physically fit, be able to work in a small but dedicated international team and be prepared to cope with potentially tense and differcult situations. Basic ornithological skills are necessary along with a firm commitment to nature conservation. Qualifications to take part vary according to the operational area, participants must be over 18 and because teams are of mixed European nationalities a good command of spoken English is essential.
For further information in regard of participation please click on the 'go volunteer!' button below. You will be redirected to the CABS website, a link to the application form is found at the bottom of the page. I heartily recommend you read all the information available about volunteering and only apply if you are fully committed!
Each year more than 200 volunteer bird lovers from all over Europe participate in these operations. Together they collect or dismantle between 25,000 and 30,000 bird traps and nets, and help bring hundreds of poachers to justice.
To participate it is important to be mentally and physically fit, be able to work in a small but dedicated international team and be prepared to cope with potentially tense and differcult situations. Basic ornithological skills are necessary along with a firm commitment to nature conservation. Qualifications to take part vary according to the operational area, participants must be over 18 and because teams are of mixed European nationalities a good command of spoken English is essential.
For further information in regard of participation please click on the 'go volunteer!' button below. You will be redirected to the CABS website, a link to the application form is found at the bottom of the page. I heartily recommend you read all the information available about volunteering and only apply if you are fully committed!
Please bare mind they have lots of applicants each year, so don't be disappointed if you don't secure a place the first time around!
Good luck with your application!
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