Footage of a massive illegal wader trapping site in Zurrieq taken by BirdLife Malta’s Raptor Camp volunteers was released today.

The video shows an illegal wader trapping site almost 4900 sq meters in size, covered with 3 pairs of huge nets, illegal electronic tape lures playing calls of protected species, and plastic decoys of protected bird species. The footage also shows the illegal trapper collecting his decoy birds and running away shortly before the ALE arrived following BirdLife’s report.

The ALE confiscated the illegal nets and also confirmed that the illegal trapper was apprehended a short while after identifying him from the footage taken by Raptor Camp.

“The trapper was clearly after protected birds as he had decoys of protected species as well as Golden Plover which cannot be trapped at this time of the year. The government’s decision to apply a derogation allowing the trapping of four species is, as expected, being used by some trappers as a loophole to continue illegally trapping protected species” said Dr. Andre Raine, BirdLife Malta conservation manager.

Bird trapping is banned in the EU under the Birds Directive. The government this year announced that it will apply a derogation to allow trapping of Turtle Dove and Quail between 1 September and 10 October as well as Golden Plover and Song Thrush between 20th October and 10th January. Finch trapping is no longer allowed in Malta as the five year transition period to phase out this practice, agreed upon with the EU during Malta’s accession, expired at the end of last year.

Another illegal wader trapping site was reported by CABS, the Committee Against Bird Slaughter, who are running a separate bird conservation camp and 29 protected waders were released at the Ghadira Nature Reserve last Saturday.

The migration period for raptors has not yet reached its peak but despite the slow migration, a considerable number of illegalities have been observed by the Raptor Camp volunteers.

Since last Saturday poachers have been observed shooting at Bee-eaters, Hobbies, Kestrels, Honey-buzzards and Marsh Harriers in several locations in Malta. The illegalities recorded by Raptor Camp also include shooting out of permitted hours and shooting in protected areas where hunting is not allowed.

Hunting after 3pm between 15th and 30th is banned to protect migratory birds of prey that use the Maltese islands as a resting spot on their journeys to Africa from poaching.

“Once again, as with every migration season, we are witnessing widespread illegal hunting and trapping activities. The Prime Minister took the environment under his office after the general elections with a promise to improve nature protection. We have yet to see what action the government is planning to take, as law enforcement is once again thin on the ground and protected birds are being trapped and gunned down before our eyes.” concluded Dr. Raine.

Footage of the incident may be seen on www.birdlifemalta.org

Photograph shows a screen grab from the video showing the illegal wader trapper reported by the Raptor Camp team trying to escape the police with a decoy bird in hand. The illegal trapper was later caught by the ALE after being identified from the footage.

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