Help keep One Green Planet free and independent! Together we can ensure our platform remains a hub for empowering ideas committed to fighting for a sustainable, healthy, and compassionate world. Please support us in keeping our mission strong.

A group of Italian officials was caught by police during a secret dinner that included songbirds like goldfinches and chaffinches, The Telegraph reported.

The group is no under investigation for the lunch, as some of the birds were from a rare species. The meal also violated COVID-19 guidelines set by the country. 20 officials from the villages of Valle Trompia and Gardone Val Trompia had a lavish spread that included rare tiny birds like red crossbills and hawfinches.

Italy’s National Association for the Protection of Animals spoke out against the group’s activities. “We are disappointed and angered – those who should be leading by example are often those who don’t care about the law,” the organization said in the Telegraph.

Animal rights groups also pointed out that songbirds are disappearing in the region, with many species in danger, according to the New York Times. “There is a general crisis of biodiversity,” said Annamaria Procacci, former Green Party senator and a board member of ENPA, Italy’s animal protection league, to the outlet, “And then there are people feasting on it.”

Source: Yours News/YouTube

Read more news about birds in One Green Planet, including NYC’s new law to protect birds from glass, birds found dead in Rome, Audubon Society’s warning on climate change and birds, the scientists that studied climate change’s effect on birds, how methane gas from landfills harms birds, and why you shouldn’t buy a pet bird.

Sign this petition to demand that Conservation officials in European countries with wildlife-dense beaches enact leash laws during nesting season so that birds don’t get scared away from their nests!

Enact Leash Laws to Protect Ground Nesting BirdsClick Here to Sign Petition

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter! Also, don’t forget to download the Food Monster App on iTunes — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, vegan, and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! Lastly, being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!