Italian hunters caught with 2,000 dead thrushes in Norway

Three Italian hunters have been reprimanded for trying to leave Norway with more than 2,000 dead thrushes in their luggage.

The criminals were apprehended on 29 October and found to be in possession of 2,027 individual thrushes, most of which were Redwings and Fieldfares. However, 31 Blackbirds and 10 Song Thrushes were also discovered. Both species are fully protected in Norway.

Some of the 2,027 dead thrushes seized by Norwegian customs (Politiet).

The hunting of Redwings and Fieldfares is allowed in Norway if the necessary permits are obtained. However, of the three Italian hunters, only one of them had officially registered.

It was Økokrim, Norway's National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime, that first received tips about the illegal activity and went on to notify customs.

Each of the hunters was fined NOK 15,000 (£1,300) for their actions.

#Kristiansand Tre italienske jegere ble stoppet i en tverretatlig aksjon, etter tips fra publikum til Økokrim. Her ble det gjort funn av 2027 nedfryste troster, hvor det blant disse var måltroster og svarttroster som det ikke er lov å jakte på. pic.twitter.com/E8NYXlVIfv

— Tolletaten (@tolletaten) November 4, 2021