Three illegal mistnets targeting Mistle Thrush were confiscated this week by the Gozo Police after Rangers from the Malta Ranger Unit alerted them about the site.
The MRU said that the ”large nets were hidden within the trees in a remote area of Gozo. A caller for Thrush was also heard, playing to lure the birds towards them.”
The Police confiscated the equipment after dismantling the site. The MRU expressed its thanks to the Officers for their work.
The MRU went on to say that ”many hunters who were in the nearby area, using quail callers whilst hunting, left when realising that our Rangers were on site together with Police.”
The Rangers stated that ”the usage of callers is widespread in Gozo due to no patrolling Environmental Protection Unit Police on the island.”
The MRU said that ”we are increasing our presence on the island to deter this illegal practice. ”We urge the Public to report to us when they hear electronic bird callers (night or day) by message on WhatsApp 7937 8118 with the Google pin location and the sound of the caller.”
Photo: MRU