BirdLife Malta is appealing for information on yesterday afternoon’s shooting of a rare Short-toed Eagle near the clock tower in Mtarfa.

The NGO said that “the eagle was spotted flying low just before 7pm, searching for a place to roost for the night. As it flew over a copse of Pine trees a short distance away from buildings two shots rang out. The bird folded in the air and fell straight down into the pine copse.”

Raptor Camp volunteers in the area witnessed the incident and reported it to the police. The police arrived a short while later and searched the area, but neither shooter nor dead eagle were found.

“The incident involved several laws being broken – shooting down a protected bird, shooting outside permitted hours, and shooting within 200 mt of a residential area,” Birdlife said.

“Eagles are highly prized by illegal hunters and collectors and this one was definitely recovered.” said Nicholas Barbara. “We appeal to anyone with information on the shooter or suspects within the area to pass this information on, helping to bring whoever shot this iconic eagle to justice.”

Birdlife continued, “information on illegal taxidermists, who might be engaged to stuff and mount the bird, could also be useful in identifying the illegal shooter.”

“The police may be contacted on 119/21221111 and BirdLife Malta can be reached on 21 347 644 or office@birdlifemalta.org“

Short-toed Eagles are rare annual migrants and, Birdlife said, “the few that pass over Malta are illegally shot at on a yearly basis.”

Photo: Birdlife reported that “this Short-toed Eagle was photographed flying low in Mtarfa late yesterday afternoon, shortly before being illegally shot down a short distance away from buildings.” Photo by Kim Skelmose.

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