FKNK condemns “cowardly” shooting of barn owl

The FKNK hunting organisation has condemned what it described as the “recent unfortunate and cowardly incident, when a criminal shot and wounded a Barn Owl ^[1] that had been released from the breeding project.”

The owl had been released into the wild in November 2022, President of FKNK, Lucas Micallef said, following the necessary medical attention, the owl was returned to the Project’s aviary facility at Buskett managed by FKNK, and will be kept for breeding purposes in the future.

“We unequivocally condemn the act mentioned and are committed to a thorough investigation,” he said. “We strongly condemn such actions, as they contradict the principles we uphold. Our unwavering commitment to conservation projects remains a top priority.”

BirdLife Malta had reported that the injured bird – with an evident gunshot injury to its right wing – was found at St Dorothy’s School in Haz-Zebbug.

The bird was found by a member of the public and handed over to BirdLife Malta on Monday.

In 2022, FKNK said that the Project released 14 Owls into the wild, two of which are equipped with GPS Tags, and three suitable nest boxes were also installed in Buskett Gardens which the released birds can use to re-establish the breeding in the wild.

In 2023 another 16 birds, born and raised in captivity in the Project’s aviaries were released into the wild through the use of the respective technical method of what is known as “hacking-box.”

In addition to the GPS tags, the released birds are also monitored through CCTV equipment which is installed in the hacking box, the nest boxes and on farm buildings and aviaries.

Photo: FKNK