Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) investigators have arrested four Miami-Dade men during April 3-6th, for illegal possession of migratory birds. The men were caught with buntings, migratory songbirds, protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
According to FWC, buntings are prized for their colorful plumage, and their numbers have been declining because of habitat loss and the ugly threat of the exotic pet trade.
“These birds do not belong in captivity; they belong in their natural habitats to proliferate and continue the species,” said FWC Lt. Jay Marvin. “The public should be aware that trapping, possessing, buying and/or selling these birds is a violation of state and federal laws and can result in hefty fines and possible jail time.”
The four men arrested are: Gustavo Castresana, 30, of Hialeah; Miguel Castro, 53, of Homestead; Adrian Acosta-Gonzalez, 37, of Miami and Ruben Echevarria-Liens, 35 years, of Miami. They were all in possession of bird traps and are all facing charges.
The public is asked to call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert hotline – 888-808-FWCC (3922) – if they witness any suspicious activity or any people with small, wooden bird traps.
