Environmental Protection Unit Police have confiscated nets, electronic callers and 21 finches (majority Hawfinches) from two unregistered trapping sites inside a protected Natura 2000 area.

Rangers from the Malta Ranger Unit said they were patrolling the Natura 2000 site along the Rabat coast (Rdumijiet ta’ Malta: Ir-Ramla tac-Cirkewwa sal-Ponta ta’ Benghisa) when they “spotted two active trapping sites that were not registered with the Wild Birds Regulation Unit.”

The Rangers “secured evidence and called EPU Police who swiftly arrived on site.”

The MRU highlighted that “these cases came along just three days into the season that was opened by the Government.”

“We are yet to see the Minister for the Environment, Miriam Dalli and the Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri, who is also responsible for hunting and trapping, address the challenges we have highlighted in regards to tackling the rampant abuse and the large amount of illegalities efficiently,” the MRU stated.

The Malta Ranger Unit concluded by saying that, “our Natura 2000 sites are not protected until we see more resources given to our Environmental Protection Unit Police, both in equipment and manpower.”

Photo: MRU

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