The same illegal wader trapper who was apprehended and booked by the police following a report by BirdLife Malta two weeks ago, was caught by the police on Tuesday for continuing the illegal trapping of protected birds at the same site.

On the 16th of September BirdLife had revealed footage of the illegal trapper in Zurrieq, who had been trapping protected waders on a massive trapping site. Following BirdLife’s call the police had apprehended him.

BirdLife, however, learnt that the same trapper has continued trapping protected birds over the last two weeks. He was filmed at the same trapping site by a Raptor Camp team on Tuesday. The police were informed and arrived on site, arresting the individual and his accomplice.

The police also confirmed that protected species including finches and a Dotterel were found present in cages at the site.

"While welcoming the prompt ALE action, it is important that offenders who persist in breaking hunting and trapping law are given sentences which will act as serious deterrents to wildlife crimes," said Geoffrey Saliba, BirdLife Malta Campaigns Coordinator.

"Licenses for repeat offenders must be cancelled and equipment used in the crime confiscated."

On Monday an illegal wader trapping site was raided by the ALE who confiscated caged Yellow Wagtails, following a report of another Raptor Camp team who spotted the illegal activity and informed the police.

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 for the phasing out of this practice, agreed upon with the EU during Malta’s accession negotiations, expired at the end of last year.

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