A new case study published in EuroNatur’s Biodiversity Report shows that implementation gaps and cultural norms tolerating illegal hunting practices are exacerbating the situation in Serbia. The Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix) – though legally hunted throughout most of its range, is among the most affected.
It is estimated that around 160,000 quails are killed illegally each year across the Western Balkans (Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina). Each year, up to 60,000 quails are illegally killed in Serbia’s Vojvodina region, making it the area most severely impacted by these practices.
The illegal hunting of Common Quails (Coturnix coturnix) poses a significant threat to this migratory species along the Adriatic Flyway in the Mediterranean, which is a critical part of its route from Europe to Africa.
Despite international commitments under the Bern Convention and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), Serbia has failed to adopt a National Action Plan to combat the illegal killing of birds (IKB). Weak penalties, inadequate enforcement, and the persistent use of banned methods, especially electronic sound lures, – which attract the conspecific birds from the surrounding area, – reflect that there are systemic deficiencies in tackling IKB. These lures, though prohibited, remain widely available and openly sold online, highlighting significant loopholes in regulation.
Tape lures, an unlawful device used by poachers to attract more birds to the hunting area– photo by BPSSS/BirdLife Serbia
Local conservationists like our Partner BirdLife Serbia – Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia (BPSSS) report that poaching blackspots are well-known and frequently revisited by offenders, with sound lures routinely discovered. While a specialised environmental police unit was established in 2021, enforcement remains inconsistent. While the establishment of a specialized environmental police unit has bolstered human resources since 2021, other inspectorates face a decline in staff due to aging and low wages. Allegations of personal ties between poachers and local enforcement officials and hunting organizations cast doubt on the integrity and effectiveness of conservation efforts.
The consequences of this weak enforcement extend beyond bird populations. The disruption of ecological processes and degradation of habitats critical for migratory birds have ripple effects on biodiversity and local economies that are dependent on these ecosystems. The illegal killing of birds not only diminishes the ecological integrity of the region but also contradicts Serbia’s efforts to align its environmental policies with the European Union’s Birds Directive and Environmental Crime Directive, crucial steps for its EU accession.
The recent Biodiversity Report highlights the urgent need for Serbia to rigorously implement its existing laws, increase penalties for poaching, and adopt a comprehensive National Action Plan against the illegal killing of wild birds. To safeguard migratory bird populations and preserve the ecological heritage of the Adriatic Flyway, Serbia must designate and effectively manage protected areas while fully transposing and enforcing the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. This includes addressing enforcement gaps, tackling cultural norms of poaching, and targeting the illegal sale and use of non-selective hunting devices with stricter penalties and improved mechanisms. Without immediate action, the cumulative effects of these illegal practices could lead to irreversible declines in bird populations and biodiversity across the entire flyway.
