Update: BirdLife Malta has discovered that the flock of ten White Storks that has been in Malta since Monday includes storks from a conservation reintroduction project in Italy.

“The flock was targeted on Tuesday in Marsa, with one of the birds killed bearing a colour numbered ring. The White Stork is part of a flock originating from a re-introduction scheme set-up in Udine, North East Italy, and was on its first ever migration south to the Africa.”

When the White Storks arrived on the mainland from Comino on Monday, they landed on a crane in Marsa, attracting many local bird watchers and photographers.

BLM said that 3 of the flock were seen to have coloured rings on their legs, a process carried out to monitor the birds’ movements from a distance. Birdwatchers, using telescopes, were able to read the details on two of the rings, IAB PA190 and IAB PA200, the details of which were sent to the Italian ringing scheme to confirm the origin of the birds.

Yesterday evening, news arrived of the shooting of a stork in Marsa, with ALE officers apprehending a suspect. A photo published of the dead stork has confirmed this individual was one of the 3 ringed storks, BLM said.

According to information obtained from the Italian ringing scheme, BLM said that PA190 and PA200 arrived in Malta from the Oasi Dei Quadira WildLife Sanctuary in Fagagna, Udine, in the north of Italy, a centre specifically set-up by the local community to help storks repopulate the area.

Both storks were confirmed as being juveniles hatched at the centre in June within nests close to each other. They were last seen in the area on the 9th September 2014, before embarking on their migration.

Bruno Dentesani, Scientific Ringer at the Wildlife Sanctuary said, “a huge amount of effort has been made in assisting these birds to repopulate Udine. The reintroduction initiative was started in 1989 by Dr Fabio Perco, with the ringing programme starting 19 years ago.

“We ringed a total of 152 white stork chicks, and this sighting in Malta is the most southerly we have had so far. This is a loss of great significance as we would have expected the bird to return to Fagagna in a few years to breed. This was their first migration, I’m very sad to hear of this news.”

On the morning of 16th September, all 10 birds were seen resting on the roof of St Vincent De Paule residence for the elderly, however during the afternoon, Raptor Camp teams reported sightings of the flock with only 8 individuals.

“After the illegal shooting of one of this group, the 7-strong flock took to the skies again this morning. This afternoon the flock has been sighted again by Raptor Camp teams, but the number of individuals is now down to 6, with rumours of another shot down in Ta’ Qali,” BLM said.

In reaction to the events of the last days, BirdLife Malta’s Conservation Manager, Nicholas Barbara, commented: “The ALE and WBRU have been effective in dealing with this killing which led to the recovery of the shot bird and apprehension of a suspect. However contrary to a G overnment statement, such events are still a serious concern, as well as a reflection on the impact illegal hunting in Malta has on the rest of Europe.”

BLM stated that during this autumn season in Malta, “various protected species are being targeted illegally, as a result of large numbers of birds of prey migrating south to Africa during this period. Both BirdLife Malta and CABS have so far observed the targeting of other charismatic species such as Ospreys, Grey Herons and Honey Buzzards, with the latest incident filmed by CABS in Safi this morning.”

“The urge to target these protected species is something we continue seeing each and every time rare visitors, such as storks, grace these islands.” continued Nicholas Barbara, referring to the targeting of another flock of White Storks in March 2014 as well as eagles in October 2013. “We commend the efforts to stem these illegalities, however these incidents indicate there is still a lot more to be done. Moves such as the removal of curfews as well as amnesties for protected bird collections in the past have done little to help the cause.” Barbara concluded.

BirdLife Malta appealed to the public to report any further sightings to police on 119 and the organisation on 21347 644. It also thanked various members of the public who kept the organisation as well as the police updated on the storks’ movements.

Update: Gilian Tanti, aged 26, a tile-layer from St Julian’s, accused with the killing of a stork, yesterday, has been arraigned in Court this afternoon and has been found guilty, the Police said.

The Court sentenced the man to three months imprisonment suspended for a year and fined him €5,000 and ordered the confiscation of his firearm and the protected bird.

The Court has also banned the man from hunting for life and also ordered the suspension of any license which falls under the Arms Ordinance, for five years.

The Police said it will be filing an appeal after the Court’s Decision..

In a separate statement the Government congratulated the Police for the immediate action taken on these cases of shooting protected birds, “and while condemning any acts of this type makes it clear that the perpetrators of these acts will always find the Government against him.”

The Government said that it also welcomes the decision of the police to appeal the judgement on this crime, “it considered, the same as the Police, that the gravity of this crime merits an effective prison sentence.”

Photo: Ringed White Stork atop crane in Marsa. Photo by BirdLife Malta.

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