The incident occurred on June 2nd when a patrol from the Civil Guard's Motril company, alerted to illegal bird trapping in the Barranco de Ítrabo area, responded to the location. Upon noticing the police presence, three individuals fled, and one was apprehended after a foot chase.
During a search of the investigated individual, officers found several metal stakes, tools commonly used to set up bird-catching nets. Subsequently, during a zone inspection, an illegal wildlife capture setup was discovered, including a net, a prohibited non-selective capture method.
Two birds were found trapped in the net and were immediately released. Additionally, officers located two common goldfinches used as decoys and another bird of the same species employed as a lure to attract wild birds towards the net.
The capture equipment and the decoy birds were seized and handed over to the competent authority at the Civil Guard Post in Almuñécar. Investigations are ongoing to identify the other two individuals involved in the activity.
The investigation focuses on an alleged crime against flora and fauna for capturing non-game species. European and national regulations generally prohibit the capture of finches for bird-trapping activities, as well as the use of mass or non-selective methods, including mist nets.
The Civil Guard emphasizes that the protection of wildlife and the fight against poaching are priorities, maintaining permanent surveillance services to prevent illegal bird capture and ensure the conservation of Granada province's natural heritage.
