engleski

Intensity of illegal hunting on Velo blato Ornithological Reserve assessed from empty gun cartridges

Velo blato Special Ornithological Reserve is one of the largest and most important wetlands on Pag Island. It is important for numerous migrating and wintering waterbirds as well as for breeding species. From 2019-2021 we have carried out regular monthly bird monitoring counts combined with systematic survey of the lake shore in search of empty shotgun cartridges in order to assess the Intensity of illegal hunting in the Reserve. In total, we found 387 empty cartridges, most of them on the south side of the lake, including new ones found regularly. The cartridges were most often found between the groups of rushes (Juncus sp.) which served as a hide for the hunters. The highest number of new cartridges were found during the peak of spring (March-April) and autumn (October-December) migration of ducks. Most intensive illegal hunting occurred during spring migration. We suspect that the perpetrators are local people and as a solution to this issue we recommend the installation of permanent visible surveillance cameras.

illegal hunting, Velo blato Ornithological Reserve, empty gun cartridges

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