BirdLife Malta is appealing for information on the shooting of a protected Hungarian Spoonbill (Paletta) in the Salina Bird Sanctuary yesterday afternoon.
BLM said that “the bird was shot at around 15:50 following which two men in a blue car drove along the main road, stopping close to the shot bird. One of the men got out of the car, recovered the shot Spoonbill, and got back into the car which then drove off. The number plates, covered by cloth, could not be read.”
The Spoonbill had been ringed with a unique combination of six coloured rings as a chick in Fejer, Hungary on the 13th June 2009. This was part of a Europe wide study on Spoonbills by a group of specialist ringing researchers.
Birdlife said that “the Spoonbill arrived in Malta earlier this week, staying in the Salina Bird Sanctuary Area until it was shot yesterday.”
“This is the second time in just nine months a protected bird ringed as a chick as part of a conservation project abroad has been shot down in the Salina Bird Sanctuary. In October 2010 a German ringed Osprey was recovered by BirdLife Malta after being shot in the sanctuary. Although the bird was sent to a rehabilitation centre in Germany it could not overcome its severe shotgun injuries,” Birdlife contiuned.
Yesterday’s shooting consists of a whole set of contraventions; Spoonbills are protected birds under national and EU law, it is currently closed season, no hunting may take place in Bird Sanctuaries, and no shooting may take place within 50 metres of a main road.
Birdlife concluded “The Hungarian Spoonbill was shot down and recovered within metres of the very busy coast road in broad daylight. BirdLife Malta appeals for anyone with information to contact the police or BirdLife Malta. The police can be reached on 21224001. BirdLife Malta can be reached on 21347646.”
Photo – This protected Hungarian Spoonbill was fitted with a unique combination of six coloured rings as part of a scientific research project by specialist researchers. It was photographed yesterday morning just 5 hours before it was shot in the Salina Bird Sanctuary. Photo by Ray Galea.
3 Comments To "Appeal for information on shooting of Hungarian Spoonbill"
#1 Comment By Walter Sultana On July 2, 2011 @ 4:30 am
These people doing the shooting, are down greated People and are uneducated people and they do not have any feelings for wild Birds.
The Law Makers should get off their Asses and do what they supposed to do. PUT out REWARDS, for people that speaks out.
This is the only way these IDIOTS can learn……………..
#2 Comment By Mike On July 2, 2011 @ 11:40 am
I think Savages is more appropriate as opposed to uneducated don’t you think Mr.Sultana?
#3 Comment By Danielle On July 2, 2011 @ 1:34 pm
How sad. There was a similar incident here in Australia earlier this year. Teenagers threw stones at a black swan and cracked its head open, while it was protecting its eggs. I hope people reading this don’t blame the Maltese people for cruelty, because unfortunately it happens everywhere.