Another two protected birds confirmed illegally shot

Another two protected birds have been confirmed shot after they were retrieved by Birdlife Malta members. Yesterday morning the group retrieved a Honey Buzzard from Buskett. The bird had an injury to its right wing and will be kept under observation.

Birdlife Malta later retrieved a Purple Heron (pictured) from Manoel Island. Both its legs were shattered due to gunshots and it had to be euthanised, the group said. The bird was a firstyear and hence was migrating to Africa for the first time after it hatched during this spring. These latest developments now mean that the total of known illegally shot protected birds this autumn hunting season has now risen to 15.

On Monday the organisation retrieved four injured birds – two Grey Herons (Russett Griż), and two Marsh Harriers (Bagħdan Aħmar). A vet confirmed that the Herons had been shot. The other two birds could not be confirmed to have also been shot.

These incidents came just 24 hours after two greater flamingos were shot down on Sunday. One of the birds was so badly injured that it had to be euthanised.

Environment Minister Jose Herrera on Monday called for strong action against irresponsible hunters. The Parliamentary Secretary responsible for hunting, Clint Camilleri, only condemned the flamingos incident in a short Facebook post. He has not commented on the new illegal hunting cases. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has remained totally silent in the face of these illegalities. Birdlife yesterday said it was baffled by the statement released by the minister which, it said, “showed more concern about the reputation of ‘responsible hunters’ than anything else.

“BirdLife Malta reiterates that there is no genuine political will from the Government to control hunting whatsoever with illegalities happening in all corners of the island with every opportunity. BirdLife Malta believes it is high time the Government stops pampering the hunting lobby and rather than showing concern about what hunters are causing to themselves when they shoot protected birds, it should be preoccupied about the fact that schoolchildren visiting nature reserves in the days to come will not be able to see these beautiful birds as they were shot.

“It is also high time that the Government shows the hunting lobby that the privilege of going out with loaded shotguns in our countryside should not be taken for granted. We expect enforcement of laws so that the general public can enjoy wildlife alive and well, not because illegal hunting is damaging the reputation of hunters. In reality it is the reputation of Malta, an EU member state, that is being tarnished.”