The newest patient at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is a European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), a small songbird weighing less than 20 grams. It arrived with feathers torn from one wing by the glue used to trap it, intended to be sold.

However, it was not the only bird destined for trafficking. The Mureș County Police Inspectorate discovered two cages in a residence in Târgu Mureș, containing 12 birds – 7 European goldfinches, 2 European greenfinches, 2 Eurasian siskins, and 1 Common linnet.

At the request of law enforcement, the National Environmental Guard – Mureș County Commissariat took over the birds. Fortunately, all of them – except for one goldfinch – were healthy enough to be released.

The injured little bird was brought to us, where it will stay for at least two months, until its wing feathers grow back and it can once again enjoy its freedom.

This is a case with a happy ending, but not all stories end so well. Illegal hunting and trapping of birds in Europe and the Mediterranean region are recognised as a serious threat to some species. It is estimated that between 13.1 and 42.7 million birds are illegally killed or captured each year across Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caucasus, and the Arabian Peninsula.