Animal welfare in danger: Court decides on hunting raven birds!

Animal welfare in danger: Court decides on hunting raven birds!

In the heart of Austria, a dispute is boiling about the protection of raven birds! Leaf complaints against the hunt for raven and fog crows, magpies and acorn traps were submitted by the organization of animal protection Austria to the state administrative courts in Lower Austria and Salzburg. Despite the protection status of these birds, which is guaranteed by the EU Bird Protection Directive, they may be hunted and killed in many places. Animal protection Austria calls for a clear legal implementation of these protective measures and sees current hunting practice as cruel and ineffective.

Michaela Lehner, environmental lawyer at Tierschutz Austria, explains: "The hunt does not reduce the number of crows permanently - it can even result in an increase in animals." The organization also criticizes that exceptional permits are repeatedly granted during the breeding season, which are contradicted by the applicable nature conservation laws. In nature, crows do an important role by eating AAS and thus preventing diseases. According to animal welfare Austria, the crows are not the crows, but intensive agricultural practices and pesticides are the real causes of the decline in other wild animals.

A call to action

The lawyer describes the situation as worrying and demands a rethink in hunting policy. The animal welfare organization appeals to the public to work for the symptoms whose procedural costs must be covered of around 2,500 euros. Animal protection Austria calls up all animal and bird-loving people to support these legal steps in order to finally end the painful practice of hunting crows.

Detailed information on the ongoing legal procedures and the underlying arguments can be found on the website of Tierschutz Austria, where possible support options are also offered. The situation remains tense and the decision of the state administrative courts is expected with great tension because it could be crucial for the protection of these important bird species.