During an inspection of the Lebedivka forest area, part of the «Tuzlivski Lymany» National Park and managed by the Southern Forest Office of the State Enterprise «Forests of Ukraine», the forester of the Tuzlivsk Forest District discovered and confiscated 8 illegal wire traps. The conservation service emphasizes that the use of traps or snares has serious ecological and legal implications.

This was reported by the conservation service of the «Tuzlivski Lymany» National Park.

Traps and snares are primitive tools for catching birds and animals, consisting of a wire or rope loop attached to a tree or stake. They are used illegally, primarily by poachers, and are set up in areas frequented by wild mammals (wild boars, otters, wildcats, hares, roe deer, badgers, foxes, etc.).

The negative consequences of using traps and snares include:

• injury and death of wild animals;
• destruction of rare species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine;
• disruption of ecosystem integrity;
• difficulties in detection due to the concealed nature of the tools.

The use of traps and snares constitutes a serious violation of environmental protection legislation.

According to the Law of Ukraine «On the Natural Reserve Fund», any activities that harm natural complexes, including hunting, are prohibited in the territories of the natural reserve fund.

Under Article 248 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine «Illegal Hunting», offenders may be punished with a fine, community service, or imprisonment, along with the confiscation of hunting tools and all game caught.

The hunting regulations and types of violations are defined by the Law of Ukraine «On Hunting and Game Management».

Illegal hunting includes:

• hunting without the necessary permits;
• hunting animals not specified in permits or exceeding the established quotas;
• hunting in prohibited areas;
• hunting during restricted times;
• hunting using prohibited tools and methods.

For liability to arise for this crime, it is sufficient to commit at least one type of illegal hunting.

The Code of Ukraine «On Administrative Offenses» in Article 85 «Violation of Rules of Use of Animal World Objects» provides for fines and confiscation.

Additionally, the guards remind once again that forest areas in the Odesa region are off-limits during the martial law in Ukraine.