The Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) said that in recent weeks, a CABS team in Malta has been working through the night during its last mission of the year – to monitor the night-time trapping of golden plovers.

CABS noted that Malta has permitted the trapping of wading birds – but only during daylight hours and without electronic decoys. It said that, “in reality, however, the birds are mainly caught at night with the aid of artificial calls.”CABS advised that “following our reports of illegal trapping sites, the Environmental Police Unit (EPU) confiscated seven pairs of clap-nets, three decoys and 60 rounds of ammunition. Two live plovers, which were used as decoys, were also confiscated by the officers. Two bird trappers from Rabat and Siggiewi have been charged.”

The organisation added that, “unfortunately, police action was not taken at all the trapping sites we found because officers are not allowed to work during the night – at a total of 15 sites, the decoy devices are still running non-stop every evening.”

The Committee Against Bird Slaughter concluded by thanking the Police Environmental Unit for their “careful and professional support and hope that we can continue our work just as successfully in the New Year.”

CABS archive photos

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