BirdLife Malta today delivered the organisation’s international petition against illegal hunting to the Office of the Prime Minister signed by around 122,000 people from all over the EU and beyond.

BirdLife volunteers holding placards reading ‘Stop Illegal Hunting’ in front of Castille also presented three shot birds of prey (raptors/tajr tal-priza), which were all delivered to the BirdLife office yesterday. This is in addition to the four shot raptors BirdLife received only last week.

While handing over the petition to the Prime Minister’s Office, BirdLife Malta President Joseph Mangion said: "We are here to present the voice of tens of thousands of people who are calling on Dr Gonzi to put an end to the widespread killing of protected birds on our islands. Unfortunately, we continue to receive shot protected birds like these three raptors, all of which fell victim to Maltese poachers before they had a chance to reach their breeding grounds."

The Common Kestrel (Spanjulett) was found in Safi by a member of the public. The two Marsh Harriers (Baghdan Ahmar), both adult males, were found in Kalkara and Chadwick Lakes yesterday. All birds were taken to a vet who confirmed that they were shot and the authorities were informed. BirdLife volunteers handed in the three shot raptors at the Valletta police station after the press conference.

"It is very clear that the government cannot even control the ongoing illegal hunting, and yet they are once again considering opening another spring hunting season. Our politicians should stop treating Europe’s common natural heritage as a commodity of the Maltese hunters. Instead, they should comply with EU laws and listen to the majority of the population who are strongly against illegal killing of wild birds and hunting in spring," Mr Mangion added.

BirdLife’s petition received support from people throughout the EU, with the UK, Holland, Malta and Gozo, Germany, Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, Finland and Sweden being the leading contributors.

The international petition calls on Dr Gonzi not to harm EU nature conservation laws for the sole purpose of being re-elected. The demand is for an end to the killing of protected birds as well as an end to the shooting and trapping of Turtle Dove (Gammiem) and Quail (Summien) in spring.

Due to its strategic location on the central migration route between Africa and Europe, around 170 species of wild birds regularly migrate over Malta and often stop to rest during their tiring journey. Scientific studies carried out by BirdLife Malta since the 1960s show that birds from at least 36 countries in Europe use Malta during these annual migrations.

The killing of wild birds, especially in spring before they have a chance to breed, can have serious consequences on their populations. This is particularly true for ‘Species of Conservation Concern’ in Europe, such as Turtle Dove and Quail, or ‘Globally Threatened Species’ such as Pallid Harrier (Baghdan Abjad) and Lesser Kestrel (Spanjulett Sekond).

As migration increases BirdLife Malta has received shot protected birds on an almost daily basis. Photo by Chris Cachia Zammit.

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