Eighty-seven goldfinches seized by the Carabinieri in Cercola are flying free again after veterinary assessment at the CRAS "Federico II" in Naples.
The birds, identified as Carduelis carduelis, a protected species, had been held illegally in captivity. They were discovered during a judicial-police search conducted by the Carabinieri of the Cercola station with the support of LIPU, the Italian League for Bird Protection.
Following the seizure, the animals were transferred to the CRAS "Federico II" for veterinary assessment and rehabilitation. Specialist health checks concluded that the birds were capable of living independently in the wild.
The release took place at the Fattoria Zooantropologica of ASL Napoli 1 Centro, in the presence of Carabinieri Forestale personnel from the Naples group.
From seizure to release
The sequence reported for this case is straightforward:
- Search and seizure: Carabinieri officers in Cercola, supported by LIPU, seized 87 cardellini held illegally in captivity.
- Transfer for assessment: The birds were entrusted to the CRAS "Federico II" for veterinary checks.
- Suitability assessment: Veterinarians judged the birds suitable for release into the wild.
- Release: The cardellini were returned to the wild at the Fattoria Zooantropologica of ASL Napoli 1 Centro, with Carabinieri Forestale from Naples present.
The available reports do not specify the exact address of the search, the conditions in which the birds were initially held, or details of any suspect or subsequent judicial proceedings. They also do not provide a breakdown of individual health conditions or the length of the rehabilitation period.
The centre behind the release
The CRAS "Federico II" operates at the Presidio Ospedaliero Veterinario of ASL Napoli 1 Centro, in collaboration with the University of Naples Federico II.
According to the University, the centre works within a network that also involves the ASL and the Istituto Zooprofilattico. That structure links veterinary hospital facilities, university research and public animal-health services in the handling of wild animals entrusted to the centre.
In this case, that role meant receiving the seized birds, carrying out the veterinary assessment, and confirming their suitability for release before they were returned to the wild.
A coordinated intervention
This case illustrates cooperation among law-enforcement authorities, wildlife-protection organisations, veterinary services and university researchers.
The Cercola station Carabinieri carried out the judicial-police operation, LIPU provided support during the seizure phase, the CRAS "Federico II" team conducted the assessment, and Carabinieri Forestale personnel from Naples attended the release at the ASL Napoli 1 Centro site.
No further details on the investigative follow-up have been reported.
