Hundreds of raptors slain daily in Taiwan - paper

TAIPEI, Oct 15 (Reuters) Hunters are illegally killing 600 to 700 birds of prey every night in southern Taiwan, stirring outrage among bird lovers, a local newspaper reported today.

Poachers use the cover of night to kill the migratory grey-faced buzzard-eagles in an unpopulated area of Pingdong County in southern Taiwan, the China Times reported.

On each of the past three nights, several hundred birds were killed, the Chinese-language paper said.

''This miserable drama will be performed again tonight,'' the paper said.

Thousands of grey-faced buzzard-eagles migrate through Kenting National Park of Pingdong County every September and October, circling the skies in flocks to the delight of bird watchers.

But birds of prey are eaten in Taiwan as well as in other Asian countries.

Bird backers in Taiwan, where environmental protection is a popular cause, are writing letters to ask that local authorities stop the hunters, the China Times said.

REUTERS SSC HS1014