BirdLife Malta said that students at St Edward’s College in Malta returned to school yesterday for the start of the new scholastic year, only to find an injured protected Eurasian Hobby in the school grounds.

The organisation reiterated its call for a 200-metre no-hunting buffer around schools, ”so that students can learn without being exposed to the risks and disturbance associated with hunting.”

BirdLife Malta was called to collect the bird, which the Government veterinarian confirmed had suffered shotgun injuries.

The organisation said that the incident highlights the need of a ”no-hunting buffer zone around schools.” BirdLife Malta has previously called for a 200-metre no-hunting buffer around schools, but it said that the proposal was rejected by the ORNIS Committee, finding no support from Government-appointed members and the Environment and Resources Authority.

BirdLife Malta CEO Mark Sultana said, “children should be able to attend school without hearing gunshots and without finding protected birds that have been shot in their playground. Schools should be safe spaces for children and wildlife alike.”

”Children should be able to learn in a safe environment, while protected wildlife should receive the protection guaranteed to it by law,” BLM said.

BirdLife Malta stated that the incident comes at a time when the Prime Minister is seeking to ”reduce penalties for those who break the law and hunt protected birds.”

BirdLife Malta called on the Government ”not to weaken penalties for breaches of laws protecting wild birds. Instead, the Government should strengthen enforcement and ensure that illegal killing of protected birds has meaningful consequences.”

Photo and video BirdLife Malta

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