These devices steer birds to nets, where they are mass-captured.

Authorities said on Tuesday that as many as 1,460 bird-call hunting equipment were seized in Sharjah as swarms of migratory birds moved to the emirate in March.

These systems emit noises that sound like bird calls, making it easy for illegal poachers to attract the birds' attention and direct them to nets set up to capture vast numbers of them. Every year, particularly during the bird migration period, the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) launches a major crackdown on bird smuggling and illegal hunting activities.

As EPAA inspectors increased their efforts this year, they confiscated 195 more equipment than they did over the same time in the year 2020, where they grabbed additional 1,265 devices. As teams scoured through the emirate between February 28 and March 28, further patrols were also deployed for tracking.

“The agency is eager to carry out its policy of environmental conservation and protection, and also environmental consciousness. Specialized squads patrol throughout the emirate's regions to seize these types of equipment, while also running awareness programs emphasizing the dangers of overhunting in our ecosyatem,” said Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of Sharjah's EPAA.

The EPAA is doing all it can to prevent the hunting of migratory wild or aquatic birds. Regardless of the difficulties in identifying the prohibited bird sound equipment, investigators are working very hard to solve the problems and eliminate illegal shooting once and for all.