Shocking images of migratory birds with tape over their eyes, beaks and nostrils have sickened ornithophiles in Bahrain.
They have demanded that action be taken against those responsible, believed to be fishermen who blame the birds for diminishing stocks and poor catches.
Starving and tormented black-headed gulls and shrikes have been photographed along the Tubli coast, much to the distress of photographers who annually capture the flocks in all their glory with their camera lenses.
“The black and red tape first caught my attention,” Bahrain-based wildlife photographer Saidalavi Ambalath Veetil told the GDN. “It was stuck around their beaks and over the eyes, partially blinding some of the birds.
“At first I thought it was part of some study but there appeared to be too many, and some were struggling.
“We are calling on the authorities to investigate. If they find out that there is a case of abuse to be answered then those responsible should be caught and punished.”
Bird enthusiast Howard King, expressed concern too and claimed that at least six out of every eight birds he had spotted along the coast appeared to have been mistreated.
“Wrapping tape around a bird’s eyes to blind it or trying to starve it to death is appalling,” he told the GDN, adding that he had worked with concerned friends to assist the frightened feathered victims.
“In one case, we managed to rescue a bird and remove the tape. We estimate six out of every eight birds were in need of help on the coast.
“People take pictures and upload them on social media but often by then it’s too late to save them.
“Firstly, the birds need to be located, then caught to be examined by a vet which is never easy unless observers act as fast as they can. This seems like a clear case of abuse.”
The Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) consultant revealed details of a recent incident in Barbar in which a shrike, better known as the ‘butcher bird’, was found in distress.
“Shrikes are omnivorous birds with sharp beaks meant to bite – it was pathetic to see the way it had been trapped,” he said. “Someone had poked a feather through its nostrils, which are on the upper mandible of the bill, wrapped it around the bill, and poked it through again, holding the bill tightly closed.
“Fortunately, a fellow bird watcher noticed and realised it was slowly starving to death – the bird was saved and released back into the wild.”
He believes it may have escaped from a pet store or market stall as it has been known for people to control the birds in this manner to prevent them from biting owners, customers, or other birds.
“They give it food by opening its nostrils, which is obviously wrong and cruel but still occurs,” he explained.
Mr King fears the fishing community may be responsible for some of the incidents because the birds may have been attempting to steal from their nets.
“We see these kinds of abuses always happening in the same coastal areas, which leads me to believe that it has to do with these birds interacting with fishermen,” he claimed.
“I think it is their silly way of punishing them, but it’s an absolutely disgusting way to behave.”
The British national who has resided in Bahrain for more than 40 years hopes the authorities will take stern action. “Most bird species have seen worldwide declines – nature cannot bear the loss.”
raji@gdnmedia.bh
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