Illegal bird nets destroyed in Keelung after 4 black kites killed

Taipei, Oct. 4 (CNA) Authorities in Keelung have dismantled over 100 meters of illegal bird nets in a remote part of Qidu District, where four endangered black kites were found dead after becoming trapped, local officials said Saturday.

The operation was launched on Sept. 30 after Raptor Research Group of Taiwan (RRGT) reported unusual tracking data indicating that a tagged kite, "Orange M9," had been motionless in the mountains for an extended period.

Investigators were shocked to find extensive nets stretching across multiple ridgelines, according to Chen Po-ting (陳柏廷), head of the Keelung City Animal Protection Office.

During the removal of the nets, four black kites were found hanging lifeless in the mesh, including "Orange M9," a young bird born earlier this year that RRGT had been monitoring. The nets were confiscated and destroyed, while the bird carcasses were sent for necropsy.

No suspects have been identified, but animal protection officials said the case constitutes a serious violation of the Wildlife Conservation Act, which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

Police are investigating whether the nets were linked to pigeon extortion gangs known to operate in Taiwan.

Pigeon extortion rings are criminal groups that use large nets to capture valuable racing pigeons, trace their owners through leg bands, and demand ransom payments. If owners refuse, the pigeons may be released far away, sold, or killed. These nets often also trap protected wild birds, drawing wider public concern.

Chen urged the public to report any suspicious bird nets by calling the 1999 citizen hotline.

RRGT also condemned the discovery, calling it a "heavy blow" to the already vulnerable black kite population, which fell to fewer than 200 individuals in the 1990s before slowly recovering.

"Losing four birds in a single incident is heartbreaking, especially for a species that lives in flocks," the group said in a statement. "We fear more traps may be hidden in remote hillsides, silently claiming raptor lives. Black kites cannot withstand such losses."

"Illegal bird nets not only kill raptors but also damage the ecosystem," the group said, urging authorities to step up enforcement and the public to remain vigilant.