Sharjah: More than 200 bird calling devices used by hunters have been confiscated during a sweep of several areas in Sharjah.
Teams from the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) confiscated 205 bird callers during field visits and inspection campaigns between the end of September and the end of October.
A total of 459 items, including 205 devices, 70 headsets, 181 batteries and 3 bags, were confiscated in Mesnad, Khedira, Meleiha, Al Dourah, Al Khatam, Akarib, Mkhafiz, Tawi Al Saman, Al Zubair and other areas.
Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, EPAA Chairperson, said in a statement released on Monday: “EPAA seeks to carry out its tasks effectively and efficiently in all matters related to the preservation and protection of the environment. In accordance with the directives of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and his vision for preserving the environment and conserving biodiversity, EPAA also raises awareness about the importance of the environment. Specialised teams visit different regions to detect illegal poaching, confiscate any tools or equipment, and raise awareness about the dangers of poaching.”
Al Suwaidi explained that EPAA teams visited different areas of Sharjah between September 23 and October 28 and confiscated equipment, tools and bird callers. Some hunters use these illegal devices to attract birds.
She said that the EPAA prohibits the use of bird hunting devices in order to protect wildlife from poachers, preserve the environment and conserve biodiversity. The items that were confiscated are banned throughout the UAE. By mimicking the sound of curlews and other birds, bird callers are used to attract migrating birds so that hunters can shoot them or ensnare them in nets. A decision has been issued banning the sale and possession of all bird callers, wild migratory birds and marine birds.
Al Suwaidi pointed out that the EPAA and its specialised teams are doing everything possible to combat the poaching of wild and marine migratory birds. Efforts to protect migratory birds are part of the larger effort to conserve biodiversity in the UAE.
