EPA confiscates birds on Thilafushi

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confiscated birds of two species held captive on industrial island Thilafushi.

An EPA statement said some birds that had been held captive and there was evidence of wing-clipping, a practice to keep birds from flying off.

Officials told Haveeru they would also check Hulhumale for more captive birds. He said a wider search conducted by police and councilors will inspect distant islands as well.

According to the EPA, 70 different bird species are protected in the Maldives, most of them since 2003. They include the Crab Plover, the Lesser Noddy, the Purple Heron and the Red-Footed Booby. Among the species confiscated on Thilafushi was the Catlle Egret.