Pigeon smuggler arrested in Australia
An Australian traveler has been caught with two live pigeons stuffed in his pants following a trip to the Middle East. The man was searched after authorities discovered two eggs in a vitamin container in his luggage, said Richard Janeczko, national investigations manager for the Customs Service. They found the pigeons wrapped in padded envelopes and held to each of the man's legs with a pair of tights, according to a statement released by the agency. The alleged bird smuggler, who arrived in Melbourne on Sunday on a flight from Dubai, was being questioned. Australia has very strict quarantine regulations on the importation of wildlife, plants and food to protect health, agriculture and the environment of the isolated island nation. Charges of wildlife smuggling, which carry a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of AU$ 110,000 (US$ 70,430), could be brought against the man. Janeczko said the pigeons were not endangered and that the case — as well as the birds, eggs and seeds — had been turned over to the Quarantine Service to assess the health risk associated with bringing the birds into the country (Associated Press 03.02.2009).

The end of Turtle-dove trapping on Malta?
The Mediterranean island of Malta is situated on the central European-African flyway. It should be a haven for migrating birds but unfortunately bird persecution as trapping and illegal hunting are widespread. Trappers, using live decoy birds and clap nets, target the European Turtle-dove Streptopelia turtur plus 10 other species of birds. There are approximately 4500 registered trappers, and according to the latest survey by the Malta Environment Planning Authority run in 2004, and over 7,000 trapping sites in the Maltese Islands. Since accession to the European Union (EU), conditions have improved on the islands, with spring hunting and trapping stopped last year. This year, if Accession Treaty negotiations are honoured, an even bigger step forward will be taken, with the banning of trapping. The Birds Directive forbids trapping in EU member states. During Accession Treaty negotiations prior to joining the EU in 2004, Malta negotiated a five year phasing out period for the practise of trapping. This period expired at the end of 2008, and according to these agreements, 2009 will be the first year that trapping should be banned in Malta (BirdLife 23.01.2009).