Birdlife Malta said protected birds continue to be victims of illegal hunting even during the festive season, the NGO recently recovered two Honey Buzzards from within the Buskett bird sanctuary and received reports of illegal shooting on protected birds.

The two Honey Buzzards were discovered by members of the public on two separate occasions and handed over to BirdLife on 23rd and 24th December respectively. Both protected birds had wing and tail feathers hacked off, were covered in bird dropping, and were in very poor condition with severe feather damage. One of the birds was missing three talons and had disfigured toes. The Office of the Prime Minister and MEPA were informed, and the birds have been handed over to the ALE, Birdlife said.

“The injuries clearly indicate that these wild birds were illegally kept in captivity probably after being shot during their migration to Africa this autumn. It is going to take months of careful rehabilitation before these birds are in good enough condition to be released.” said Nicholas Barbara, BirdLife Malta Conservation and Policy Officer.

Birdlife Malta said that despite the peak migration season having passed, illegal hunting is still being observed. On Thursday bird watchers saw an injured Crane with missing wing feathers consistent with gunshot injuries in Dingli.

The NGO went on to say that migratory Cranes have been consistently targeted over the last weeks as they migrate over Malta. On the 12th December a flock of Cranes in flight was shot at from the airport’s vicinity and electronic bird callers, which are illegal, were heard playing Crane calls near the airport to lure these birds into shooting distance.

BirdLife Malta has also received reports that Cranes were being illegally hunted at sea. In November a small flock of cranes was reported being chased by boat in the Comino Channel, with hunters embarking onto Comino after the birds roosted there.

BirdLife Malta concluding by saying that it reiterates that a wildlife crime unit should be established and fines for repeat offenders should be increased to act as a serious deterrent.

This Honey Buzzard was recovered from Buskett on Wednesday. The bird’s wing and tail feathers had been hacked off, the bird was missing three talons and its toes were disfigured, indications that not only had the bird been illegally kept in captivity, but that the conditions were appalling. Photo by Geoffrey Saliba.

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