THE FALL OF THE ROOKS A GRIM DISCOVERY IN NORTHERN SERBIA
A local beekeeper made a disturbing discovery near the village of Nakovo in Northern Serbia earlier this year. Upon coming across lifeless birds scattered across the fields while on his way to his beehives, Ranko Samardžija shared photos on social media, catching the attention of the Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia (BPSSS). It led to the discovery of over 800 dead songbirds, including 434 rooks and 373 jackdaws, protected species in the crow family. BPSSS believes the incident was not natural but the result of poisoning. Ornithologists stated that this could qualify as one of the largest poisonings on record if confirmed. This incident not only has devastating consequences on the environment, but also impact farmers in another way. “Rooks, hooded crows, and magpies play a vital role in this ecosystem, especially in the agricultural areas. They are the main nest builders, later inhibited by owls and kestrels,” said Stefan Prekajski, a biologist employed by the BPSSS. Furthermore, he suggested that these birds of prey play a critical role in controlling the rodent population and that the farmers used poison to control the rodent population.
absence of predatory birds trigger a surge in the population of field mice, rats, and voles, resulting in significant crop damage. “I believe that the public need a daily reminder that the Vojvodina province is the least forested area in Europe. It is a rare sight to see trees. This is one of the main reasons that led to the unnaturally high rodent population that inflicted massive damages to the crops last year,” he explained. He also expects a decline in the long-eared owl population in the city of Kikinda, the world’s biggest wintering grounds for the species and a great tourist attraction. The discovery is but the beginning. Modern agriculture in the Vojvodina province has created numerous other problems. Farmers have exploited and ploughed every inch of land, clearing trees, and stripping natural habitats. This tragedy is a poignant reminder of modern practices pushing some landscapes past the breaking point. As pristine habitat is destroyed, ecological balances are affected. The only way to keep balance is to consider our relationship with nature and the well- being of people and wildlife intertwined within it.
A Mexican spider monkey was for sale. Credit: Steven Paton, Pexels
JAIL TIME FOR MONKEY BUSINESS
A Houston woman received a 15-month prison sentence for her involvement in the illegal wildlife trade on the online marketplace Craigslist. Savannah Nicole Valdez, aged 21, pleaded guilty to federal wildlife trafficking charges after arranging the sale of endangered animals, including an endangered Mexican spider monkey and colourful toucans, without the required permits. Valdez first came under scrutiny from authorities last year when she was apprehended trying to smuggle a baby monkey through an airport immigration checkpoint onto a high-speed flight. She received a two-year supervised release for that offence. Undeterred, Valdez turned to selling protected wildlife online. Undercover investigators discovered Valdez’s advertisements on Craigslist, openly offering keel-billed toucans and yellow-headed Amazon parrots for sale, both protected species under the Endangered Species Act. Prompted by concerns over these transactions, authorities organised a sting operation.
Pretending to be interested buyers, undercover agents purchased two toucans and a Mexican spider monkey. Valdez roped in family members to assist with the sales. Her mother delivered the toucans at a shopping mall for $3 000. Valdez sold the spider monkey for $8 500 and had her sister deliver it. “Those who traffic in infant spider monkeys shoot the mothers first and then pull the infants from their dead bodies before throwing them into cages for transport,” explained US Attorney Alamdar Hamdani at Valdez’s sentencing hearing in March 2024. Hamdani added that Valdez’s actions helped sustain an illicit market that encouraged the needless death and suffering of endangered animals. “Thankfully, now she will have to spend time in a cage of her own making, a prison cell.”
The above chain of events could be even more devastating for farmers, as the
Ornithologists on the scene after the discovery. Credit: Stefan Prekajski
The animals have since been transferred to zoos within Texas.
It is not difficult to see why a colourful keel-billed toucan may be an easy sale. Credit: Erick Arce, Pexels
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