The Malta Ranger Unit has said that the Government vet has confirmed the protected Kestrel, which was found in Gozo, reported to us and handed over to BirdLife Malta , had indeed been illegally shot.

The Rangers got a call earlier last week from a member of the public who was out in the countryside and had found a bird of prey that was unable to fly due to injuries to its wing.

MRU Rangers swiftly arranged for the bird to be collected by the relevant entity, whilst a person stayed on site to make sure the bird was kept safe.

The Rangers said that the bird will now go through rehabilitation and ”we are hopeful that it will make a full recovery.”

”We wish this Kestrel a speedy recovery and a big thank you to the member of public who reported it to us, as well as Birdlife for the care until recovered,” MRU said.

”Although hunting season is closed, there are still bird callers (even at night) and random shots being reported,” the Rangers said.

It urged the public to ”please be on the alert, the bird migration is still ongoing and we urge you to report to us any irregularities you may see or hear (WhatsApp 7937 8118 ).”

The Malta Ranger Unit also once again, said that it ”would like to remind the Ghawdex and Sostenibilita Ministries that Gozo has ZERO Environmental Protection Unit Police, leading to 100% impunity for the environmental criminals.”

Photo: MRU

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