In the early hours of Monday, BirdLife Malta volunteers participating in the annual Raptor Camp said that they observed and filmed a protected Osprey being shot down in Birzebbuga.

BirdLife Malta, in a statement on Monday evening, said this was after about 4 ospreys were noted roosting in the Buskett area the evening before.

Following the incident BirdLife Malta said it immediately called 119 who were initially informed that EPU were not available. “Following a third call, an EPU unit was made contact with, and details were passed on. It is believed that neither bird nor hunter were located,” BirdLife said.

The organisation stated that “the disregard towards the law by hunters that aim at protected birds is encouraged by the lack of enforcement on the islands of Malta and Gozo and is the reason why Malta is facing legal infringement procedures by the European Commission on the matter.”

BirdLife Malta urged the Malta Police Force “to take environment protection, in particular bird protection laws, seriously. It urges for a stronger EPU presence with adequate resources and motivation to act fast and decisive in such circumstances, while a hunting season for around 10,000 hunters is currently open.”

File photo: BirdLife Malta; Video: BirdLife Malta

Permalink: Protected Osprey shot down near Birzebbuga, Police report filed