Another two protected birds confirmed shot Birdlife blasts authorities over lack of enforcement

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Less than 24 hours after two greater flamingos were illegally shot down, another four injured birds, all protected species, were retrieved yesterday by Birdlife Malta, two of which were confirmed by a vet to have been shot.

Birdlife Malta held a press conference in San Ġwann yesterday, in front of the veterinary clinic where the birds where examined and treated.

It later turned out that the two grey herons (russett griż) had suffered gunshot injuries. The veterinarians could not confirm that the other two birds, both marsh harriers (bagħdan aħmar), had been shot.

With this latest development, the total known casualties in this year’s autumn hunting season rises to 13, which means that approximately one protected bird every two days has been shot at since the start of the season,

Birdlife said. “One should point out that one of the two herons recovered during the past hours was shot in the Nwadar National Park perimeter, where hunting is allowed. This, ironically, sends the message that shooting at protected birds is permitted in Malta’s nature parks.”

The marsh harriers were found at Chadwick Lakes on Sunday and in Qormi yesterday.

Addressing the press, Birdlife CEO Mark Sultana said “these are only the ones that have come to our attention. Imagine all the ones which are currently frozen, or injured but are still flying to Africa.” He called the situation “disgusting”.

Sultana stated that “hunting protected birds happens all over Malta, and is not restricted to one area.” Listing the areas in which the protected birds were found over this season, Sultana mentioned Mġarr, Ħal Far, Għaxaq, Vittoriosa, Mġarr ixXini, Manoel Island, Girgenti and Marsaskala, among others, emphasising that the problem is widespread.

Conservation manager Nicholas Barbara said that police presence with regard to hunting has also been low. “When the flamingos were found yesterday, there were about three police units on duty,” he said, “which means there were about ten officers, which is too few, considering that there are thousands of hunters.”

He said Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s statement on ‘zero tolerance’ to spring hunting was “just a gimmick.”

“With all this illegal hunting happening everywhere, the government is giving a clear message that it is fine to hunt illegally,” he said.

Sultana concluded that, when it comes to illegal hunting “we are only going backwards. We haven’t had so many protected birds shot in one day in ages,” he said. “Hunters now have a nonchalant attitude, as they know that the chances of getting caught are slim.”

Hunters condemn flamingos incident

The Federation for Hunting and Conservation - Malta (FKNK) yesterday unreservedly condemned the incidents involving the two flamingos, one of which was euthanised, and any other similar infringements of the law.

“This behaviour by some individuals who persist in breaking the law has no place in our society,” the FKNK said. “These cases are seriously jeopardising all the efforts and progress that the FKNK pursues in order to safeguard our traditions of hunting and trapping.”

The FKNK said it remained committed to safeguarding the traditional, legal practices of sustainable hunting and trapping and thus hereby formally requests the authorities to officially call members of the FKNK whenever similar reports are made, in order that they could follow and assist in the police investigation.

This should include any examination which may be required to be made by the official veterinarian. After the investigation is concluded, it should be decided what better use, for education, research or for general information, could be made of the bird or carcass. And in case it is decided that a carcass has to be destroyed by the police, this should be done in the presence of all interested parties, including the FKNK.

Kaċċaturi San Ubertu also referred to the illegal shooting of protected species publicised in the media over the past days. “KSU unreservedly condemn such atrocities that only serve to tarnish hunting in Malta. KSU note that their efforts to curb crime coupled with those of the enforcement authorities and other responsible hunting bodies have seen to a such incidents mostly ending up as convictions.”

KSU referred to the Labour Party pledge to revise certain penalties for hunting crime and are pleased to note that the penalties contemplated for the persecution of protected Birds under Schedule A will remain unaltered. KSU trust the maximum penalties are applied for any default.

KSU asserted that the extent of hunter compliance is evidenced by the small number of illegalities in comparison to 10,000 licensed hunters, and reiterate that the exemplary behaviour of the absolute majority should not be penalised due to the actions of a few undesirables not worthy of being called hunters.