Friday marked the end of the autumn hunting season on Malta and Gozo, “meaning that from today onwards, all forms of hunting will be illegal, with 77 protected birds shot since the season opened,” BirdLife Malta said.

BirdLife Malta stated that “this brings a much-needed reprieve for our wintering birds, including some that may have already begun their spring migration.”

The NGO stressed that “this past hunting season has once again highlighted the devastating impact hunting has on Malta’s countryside, depriving us of the presence of these wild birds. Thanks to the cooperation of the public, we have attended to no fewer than 41 protected birds suffering from shotgun injuries, as confirmed by veterinary examinations, since the season opened on the 1st of September.”

“Police and authorities have dealt with at least another 36 cases, bringing the total to over 77 shot birds in just five months. These figures only scratch the surface of the true scale of illegal hunting, with many cases going undocumented due to birds being collected for taxidermy or other hunting violations going unreported,” the NGO said.

It added that among the species targeted were rare birds such as the Black Stork, Merlin and Eleonora’s Falcon, as well as more common species like the Honey Buzzard, Common Kestrel, and Night Heron.

BirdLife Malta concluded by saying that “illegal hunting persisted even during the festive season. On Christmas Day, a Short-eared Owl was rescued from Ghar Lapsi with lead pellets lodged in its body. Birds like this would otherwise winter safely in Malta’s countryside and, in some cases, even nest – if not cruelly robbed of that chance.”

Photo: BirdLife Malta

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