the goldfinch threatened by poaching

It is said of him that it is a jewel. Even smaller than a sparrow, the goldfinch can be recognized by its motley plumage: a red tint around its head, black and yellow on its wings. In the wild, it lives in wasteland. But today, this protected species, object of all covetousness, is threatened. Goldfinches are, in fact, illegally captured in the wild and sold, as at the flea market in Marseille. (Bouches-du-Rhône).

In this market, there were seven convictions in 2014 for illegal possession of protected species. But this traffic has never stopped. The goldfinch population has declined by 30% in twenty years. In question : urbanization, the use of pesticides, but also poaching. A man, who agreed to testify with his face hidden, claims to illegally capture goldfinches once a year with a trap and a bird as bait. “What makes the value is the song. You have valuable goldfinches, but with the physique, the color “, he confides. For example, one of the birds he has captured can sell for more than 600 euros. The detention of a protected species is sanctioned up to 3 years of imprisonment and a fine of 150,000 euros. Agents from the French Biodiversity Office are on the front line against this trafficking.