Free Wings – limiting the poaching and the illegal trade of wild birds

Following the implementation of the project, the number of native wild birds captured and sold illegally in the markets of Bucharest fell considerably. Based on the initial inspections, we have selected 6 markets; we have gradually reduced our activities to two markets, namely 16 Februarie and Filaret, where inspections have been carried out together with the Environmental Guard officials, with whom we concluded a collaboration agreement. With the occasions of inspections – at the end of the project – no illegally captured birds have been found in the markets.
In order to achieve the project’s objective, the organization conducted a successful Out-Of-Home type awareness raising campaign, consisting of printed advertisements on 9 buses for one month. The campaign aimed to increase the awareness among citizens of Bucharest of wild bird species caught and sold illegally in the markets and ways they can get involved in protecting them. Information about the project has appeared on numerous communication channels, including Radio ZU, ProTV, and Click. According to the study on audiences, circulation and viewing data within the project, the disseminated information reached more than 10,000,000 people (with possible overlays in audiences/ readership).
By concluding the collaboration agreement and providing training for the representatives of the National Environmental Guard, the organization managed to increase the effectiveness of the application of the law on the protection of wild birds captured and sold in Bucharest. The printed and electronic guidebooks intended for authorities as well as informative video materials were sent to the authorities from Bucharest and from all over the country to increase the effectiveness of application of the mentioned legislation.
A legislative proposal on the compulsory ringing of wild birds raised in captivity has been submitted to the most appropriate authority with jurisdiction in this field.
The organization built a database of young volunteers willing to participate in projects, with 861 volunteers being trained at the SOR branches regarding the issues raised by the project.

Executive AgencyRomanian Ornithological SocietyPartnersN/AContract NumberCSM 25ComponentEnvironmentCountyBucharestImplementation areaLocalThematic areaEducationImplementation period01.04.2016-30.06.2017Budget of the project (CHF)70,483Swiss Contribution (CHF)63,310Project websiteN/AExecutive Agency websitesor.ro