Bird Protection and Study Society of Vojvodina
Radnicka 20a, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia and Montenegro
zzpsns@eunet.yu

League for the Ornithological Action of Serbia and Montenegro
Njegoseva 51, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro
ddsimic@eunet.yu

Date: 5 December 2003, Belgrade

Press Release: Proposed Common Quail & Turtle Dove Hunting Ban

After a panel discussion held in Novi Sad on 4 October 2003, the Bird Protection and Study Society of Vojvodina and League for the Ornithological Action of Serbia and Montenegro, together with Ecological Movement of Stanisic, requested State officials to remove Common Quail Coturnix coturnix and Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur from the game bird list and permanently prohibit further hunting.

While fully protected in neighbouring countries (e.g. Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovenia), both species are under intense hunting pressure during autumn migration in Serbia. Traditionally, these two species are not of interest to local hunters and are mainly offered as game birds to visiting foreign hunters (predominantly Italian). Serbian law presently allows the hunting of both species from 1 August to 30 September.

Also, under cover of Quail hunting, it is unfortunately not unusual for other protected species fall victim. Among these species, we know that Corn Crake Crex crex is being killed; we have the evidence of several specimens but reports to officials have been to no avail.

We fear that the number of killed Corn Crakes might be fairly high, but the low number of hunting inspectors are unable (or unwilling?) to control commercial shooting organized for visiting clients by hunting tour agencies. These shoots are no different from the recent Balkan Birds affair, when protected species were hunted in Serbia and smuggled to Italy as restaurant delicacies!

It is estimated that the Common Quail population in Serbia & Montenegro is 10,000 to 15,000 pairs strong (1990-2002 period) but has decreased by 10% to 30% in the same period (estimates: Birds in Europe - Their Conservation Status II). In the 1996-2000 period, annual number of Common Quails killed by hunters in Serbia is estimated at 20,000 to 30,000 head.

Alarmingly, Serbian Hunting Association's "Long-term Program of Development of Hunting in Serbia from 2001 to 2010" plans 40,000 to 60,000 individuals to be killed on an annual basis. Common Quail population trends in most of Europe are decreasing, and these planned figures are not sustainable.

With traditional hunting techniques using dogs, one hunter can expect 3 to 10 Quails per morning. In order to satisfy the 'customer demand, hunting agencies are often using tape recorders prohibited by both Serbian law (Paragraph 46, The Law on Hunting) and the Bern Convention. Beside the tape recorders, also widespread is the illegal use of pump-action guns able to take more than two cartridges (prohibited by Paragraph 47 of the Law on Hunting).

It is estimated that more than 90% of all the Quails in Serbia (mainly in the northern Vojvodina province) are killed using these illegal techniques, enabling a single hunter to kill 300 Quail per morning (wounded birds that can fly away to die elsewhere are not included in this figure).

Our activists have reported numerous cases of illegal tape recorders to local hunting inspectors (TV B92 even managed to film the tape recorders and their 'warden'), but again to no avail. Some hunting societies are almost 'specialized' to this kind of hunting, which represents their main income source.

Also, it is estimated that Turtle Dove population in Serbia & Montenegro is 65,000 to 120,000 pairs strong (1990-2002 period) but has decreased by 10% to 30% in the same period (estimates: Birds in Europe - Their Conservation Status II). In the 1996-2000 period, annual number of Turtle Doves killed by hunters in Serbia is estimated at 10,000 to 50,000 individuals. "Long-term Program of Development of Hunting in Serbia from 2001 to 2010" plans 10,000 to 20,000 individuals to be killed on an annual basis.

Like Quails, Turtle Doves are mainly killed in the northern Vojvodina province by visiting foreign hunters. Local Common Quail population in Vojvodina is 3,000 to 5,000 pairs strong, while Turtle Dove population in the same area is estimated to 20,000 to 50,000 pairs (Birds in Europe - Their Conservation Status II).

Besides direct hunting pressure, there is significant disturbance at the places where birds traditionally roost during migration.

Therefore, Bird Protection and Study Society of Vojvodina and League for the Ornithological Action of Serbia and Montenegro, together with Ecological Movement of Stanisic, requested the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to change the legal status of these two species in the Law on Hunting, Game Hunting Seasons Order and Natural Rarities Protection Order. A permanent hunting ban is proposed on both species in Serbia, as well as removal from the game bird lists and inclusion in the List of Natural Rarities. Our request was signed by seven other animal protection NGOs.

Marko Tucakov
Hon. Treasurer, Bird Protection and Study Society of Vojvodina

Dragan V. Simic
Chair, League for the Ornithological Action of Serbia and Montenegro

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