FKNK releases captivebred Turtle Doves

The hunter’s federation (FKNK) yesterday released into the wild over 400 Turtle Doves that had been captive-bred by several of its members.

“This action launched FKNK’s Project: Captive-breeding and Release of Turtle Doves, which, with Government’s assistance, is planned to develop into a much bigger venture in the coming years, when the FKNK plans to release thousands of Turtle Doves which will be bred in captivity by several members of the FKNK,” the federation said.

Since the Turtle Doves that were released at the launch had been captive-bred, these were adequately marked with rings.

The launch of the Project, which had been planned for years by the federation, was now possible through the direct aid made possible by government MP Silvio Schembri, FKNK said. The initial release of a few Turtle Doves was carried out by some child members of the children’s club within the FKNK, Klabb Ġojjin.

“The aim of the project is the repopulation of the Turtle Dove in the wild, which is the only contribution that Malta can make towards the conservation status of this species in the wild, as well as, so that the released amount can serve as a compensatory measure for any turtle doves that may be taken from the wild in the islands.

“This project is one of several that the FKNK plans to carry out so that the traditional socio-cultural Turtle Dove spring hunting season is reopened as soon as possible. While work is ongoing on other projects, earlier this month, the FKNK published a Paper: Illogical and Conflicting Numbers of Hunted Turtle Doves (Streptopelia turtur) on the Maltese Islands (attached), which scientific research the FKNK can use to counteract the incorrectness, the exaggerations, even the lies that are often published by entities and other persons who are well known for their beliefs against hunting.”