Be the first to comment!Sannat trappers “hide illegal decoys, including live bird, Rangers intimidated” – MRU
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Malta Ranger Unit said that its Rangers in Gozo have monitored the Gozitan trapping site in Sannat “documenting usage of illegal bird callers.” After leaving the site the Rangers said they were “subjected to intimidation by several individuals connected to the village.”
The MRU said that this was at the same site where 9 live birds and nets were confiscated during a night check recently.
The Police were alerted of the illegalities on site and arrived shortly after. The MRU added, “however the actual trapping site area was never checked, with the Officers only speaking to the accused near the hide.”
“Rangers also witnessed the trappers removing the illegal decoys of lapwing and hiding one live decoy of a seemingly protected species under his shirt” the MRU said.
The Rangers immediately informed the Gozo Police, “but unfortunately no check was carried out,” MRU said.
It pointed out that “thanks to the footage that our Rangers gathered, we will now be able to lodge a Police report and push for legal action to be taken.”
After leaving the site, the Rangers said that they were “subjected to intimidation by several individuals connected to the village. It came to a point where our Rangers had to go to the Police station to ask for assistance.”
The MRU stated that “without properly trained Environmental Protection Unit Police in Gozo, this is what we face. A situation where our Rangers’ gathered evidence many times is the only hope for prosecution. And every time offenders get away with a crime due to insufficient resources given to the Enforcement, their impunity is also boosted.”
It warned that “that boost in itself raises the safety concerns for our Rangers on the ground.”
The Malta Ranger Unit called on the Government and Ministers Miriam Dalli and Clint Camilleri “to immediately see to this issue. We have alerted the Authorities for years now, that this situation is contributing to the unsafe environment our Rangers have to work in.”
It stressed that “the unwillingness to solve this will be documented in our yearly report. Should anything happen to our Rangers, we will refer to every communication with the Authorities on this matter.”
“Our work in Gozo continues,” the MRU said.
Screenshot and video: Malta Ranger Unit
