Conservationists criticize Greece for allowing hunting of European turtle dove

Accusing the ministry of pandering to hunters in a recent announcement, the bird conservation group noted that Spain and France, which like Greece are important corridors on the European turtle dove’s migratory path, have instituted protections in the past three years that have already resulted in a rebound. 

It added that the ministry’s only concession to conservation concerns, limiting the number of turtle doves that can be hunted in the season from 120,000 to 35,000, ignored European Union recommendations for a complete ban, as even reducing the licensed number by 90% would be incapable of reversing the species’ demise.

Kathimerini