Riga, Oct 31 (LETA) - Three Italian citizens have used recordings of birds' voices to attract birds during illegal waterfowl hunting in Lake Liepaja, Baiba Ralle, senior communication specialist at the Nature Conservation Agency (DAP), told LETA.

The illegal hunting of waterbirds was discovered by a senior state environmental inspector of DAP during an inspection of the territory of the nature reserve Liepaja Lake. In addition, one hunter used a semi-automatic weapon with a total capacity of more than three cartridges, which is prohibited for waterfowl hunting.

This is the second case in a month of illegal hunting in Lake Liepaja using recordings of bird calls, Ralle informed.

As the persons engaged in illegal hunting in a specially protected nature area, the DAP has referred the case to the State Police with a request to initiate criminal proceedings.

The DAP stresses that the use of sound recordings in hunting to artificially attract waterfowl is a serious offence. Such unfair hunting practices not only violate the legislation and principles of hunting ethics, but also threaten the balance of nature in specially protected nature areas, such as the nature reserve Liepaja Lake, the purpose of which is to ensure the protection of waterbirds, as well as a safe feeding, nesting, feathering and resting area for them during migration, the DAP stressed.

Lake Liepaja is home to such specially protected bird species as the aquatic warbler, Eurasian bittern, western marsh harrier and corn crake. Since 2004, the nature reserve has been included in the Natura 2000 network of protected areas of European importance. Compliance with hunting regulations is part of society's shared responsibility to preserve biodiversity and conserve natural resources for future generations, reminded DAP.