FKNK releases over 700 captive bred turtle doves into the wild

The hunters’ federation (FKNK) has released 700 turtle doves into the wild. The birds, which were released at the shooting ranges in Żebbuġ, Gozo, had been bred in captivity by several members of the FKNK.

The project, now in its second year, has already seen some 400 turtle doves released at Buskett in May of last year.

FKNK said that aim of the project was to rehabilitate turtle dove numbers so that hunters would be allowed to hunt the bird during the spring hunting season “as soon as possible.”Restocking the wild population is the only tangible contribution that Malta can do towards the conservation of this species in the wild, the federation said.

The released amount can serve as a compensation measure for turtle doves that may be taken from the wild in the Maltese islands.

Since the turtle doves were bred in captivity, they were all adequately marked with rings.

Gozo Minister Justyne Caruana and the Parliamentary Secretary responsible for hunting, Clint Camilleri, were present for the activity, which took place on Sunday.

The captive breeding of the released turtle doves was undertaken by several members of the FKNK from around Malta and Gozo over the past year.

“The officials from the FKNK Council who were in charge of the project, together with veterinarians, monitored the breeding birds at the respective breeding stations, prescribed the appropriate fodder and medicine as necessary, tested for any diseases that could be present, and on Sunday itself, before the release of the turtle doves, the veterinarians again tested samples, in order to ascertain that the turtle doves were in a good state of health and strength and thus able to migrate once released.”

FKNK said the project complies with the guidelines of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) in similar projects.