Thirteen people were arrested after 263 birds from protected and exotic species were seized in a city park in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, according to reporting by El Periódico and La Vanguardia citing the authorities involved. The operation was carried out jointly by the Rural Agents Corps, Catalonia's regional wildlife and environmental enforcement service, and the Urban Guard, the local police force in L'Hospitalet.

For residents who use the park, the case points to alleged illegal wildlife trading taking place in a public space. For bird owners, it is also a reminder that the sale and display of native wild species is prohibited under Spain's Law 42/2007 on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity.

The two outlets reported that those detained are accused of selling and displaying native wild birds. Neither report identified the park by name, and no official press release for this specific L'Hospitalet operation was publicly linked in the verified materials provided at the time of writing.

Authorities said 263 birds of protected and exotic species were seized and 13 people were arrested in the joint operation in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat.

The verified reports do not say what charges each detainee may face, whether the park remained open after the operation, or where the seized birds were taken. Those details had not been publicly set out in the source material available on Wednesday 2 July.

What has been confirmed so far

  • Location: a city park in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, in the Barcelonès area
  • Agencies involved: the Rural Agents Corps and L'Hospitalet de Llobregat Urban Guard
  • Birds seized: 263
  • People arrested: 13
  • Alleged offence: selling and displaying native wild species

Because the official breakdown of species was not included in the verified materials, it is not yet possible to say how many of the 263 birds were protected native species and how many were exotic species.

Other recent bird trafficking and seizure cases in Catalonia

The L'Hospitalet operation follows several other recent interventions involving birds in the Barcelona area and elsewhere in Catalonia, although the cases are separate and involve different facts.

  • In Badalona in November 2025, 17 people were reported for the illicit possession of fringillid singing birds, meaning finches and related songbirds, according to El Periódico.
  • In Viladecans in October 2025, nearly 80 birds of exotic species were seized from an unhealthy property in the Parc Agrari, the agricultural park spanning parts of the Llobregat delta, according to ACN reporting published by El Periódico.
  • In Barcelona in August 2025, Agents Rurals released nearly 1,000 fringillid birds that had allegedly been captured by poachers, according to reporting by Metrópoli Abierta.

Separate official notices from govern.cat included in the verified materials also show recent wildlife crime cases involving the capture of protected birds in Osona, Vilassar and Corbins, though those notices do not refer to the L'Hospitalet park operation.

How residents can report suspected wildlife crime

People who witness suspected illegal wildlife trading or the capture of protected birds in Catalonia can report it to the Rural Agents Corps through the Generalitat's rural and environmental emergency line on 93 561 70 00, or through local police if the activity is happening in a public space.

At the time of publication, the confirmed public facts remain that 263 birds were seized and 13 people were arrested in the joint operation in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat.

Primary sources: govern.cat, govern.cat, govern.cat. Reported by Source Text Link, lavanguardia.com, ACN, El Periódico, Andoni Berná, naciodigital.cat, barcelonaaldia.com, cronicanegra.com, El Periódico Barcelona.