The hunt for robin poachers is strengthening in the Var

Bad weather for robins.

Although strictly protected, this particularly fragile bird species continues to be threatened by unscrupulous hunters who place formidable traps in the wilderness.

This is the case in the Var where the French biodiversity office has declared war on “robin predators”.

“Right now, we are in the middle of the breeding season.

Robins are numerous in nature.

And particularly vulnerable, ”says Isabelle Nicolas, environmental inspector at the biodiversity office.

In Draguignan, the agents patrol every week in the massifs in search of traps, scattered in the bushes where the birds come to nest.

“These are metal semicircles that look like mousetraps.

Poachers place them in the thickets and lock up aludes, a kind of flying ants.

Robins love it.

As soon as the bird puts its legs on the ground, it finds itself trapped.

"

This hunting is totally prohibited.

Yet it wreaks havoc on bird populations.

Recently, the agents of the Office surprised in La Crau, near Toulon, a man setting traps in the forest.

At his home, they found 75 robins, piled up in his freezer, and seized 1900 traps used to deceive thrushes, blackbirds, etc.

Prosecuted for destruction of a protected species, he was sentenced to one year in prison and 20,000 euros in damages.

"This is unheard of: a first in France that will help us in our future fight," says the League for the Protection of Birds.

Hunters versus traps

Even hunters recognize it: “Trapping robins is shameful!

Exclaims Michel Vian, one of the officials of the Var Hunting Federation.

“When you see traps in nature, you defuse them.

It's not hunting, it's poaching.

These birds are not shy.

It's too easy to trap them.

Once, I discovered 250 traps set in a valley.

Stop!

"

So, why this raid on robins?

Because it is a very popular passerine bird for its tender flesh.

Which sells for dearly.

“In the South, the robin is eaten in skewers of 5 or 6 individuals.

The skewer costs up to 110 euros each.

And the rarer the robins, the more the prices go up, ”laments Raynald Jaubert, head of territorial unit at the Biodiversity Office.

Its director, Eric Hansen, goes further: “It is unfortunately a tradition in Provence, as is ortolan in the South-West.

Not a festive meal without this delicacy.

"

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