During a patrol by Rangers from the Malta Ranger Unit in Gozo in the more remote areas of Gozo, a site at the boundary of the Dwejra Natura 2000 and Bird Sanctuary, was seen with nets, it said.

The Rangers noted that ”the site seemingly has never been registered for a trapping license with Wild Birds Regulation Unit (WBRU), yet full operative targeting protected waders of the species Godwit among others.”

The MRU said it contact the Gozo Police who arrived on site and confiscated all the nets and decoys and will also report the illegal construction on site. ”We want to thank the Officers for the assistance.”

”This land is registered as Agricultural land, yet is being used for a completely different purpose,” said the MRU. ”Our Rangers has also filed a report with the Planning Authority in regards to the illegal land use change.”

This way, Rangers said that they are ”assisting in not only catching the poachers, but also undermining their attempts to further illegalities.”

The Malta Ranger Unit warned that ”the illegalities in Gozo are widespread and well hidden in the remote areas, where the offenders know that the District Police won’t patrol (unless a report comes in from NGOs or the Public).”

This is why a dedicated Environmental Police is needed, the MRU said. ”Please sign the petition today if you haven’t done so yet. At the moment the Gozitan Natura2000 sites are not protected but only designated.”

The petition can be read and signed here in English and here in Maltese. The MRU said ”please make sure to verify your signature afterwards by clicking on the link sent to your email.”

The Rangers advised that anyone with Maltese ID card or Residence card can sign. ”Make sure you sign it with 7 digits (0012345M if your ID is 12345M).”

Photos: MRU

Permalink: Gozo: Unregistered trapping site, illegal construction, dismantled by Police – MRU