Seven weeks after three cars belonging to BirdLife Malta volunteers who were carrying out scientific ringing studies were torched by unknown individuals in Buskett, staff and volunteers of the conservation organisation today gathered at the same spot to air their frustration that those responsible were still at large.

Speaking in front of a banner showing the burnt cars with the words “We will not forget. We will not be silent.” President of BirdLife Malta, Joseph Mangion said: “It is unacceptable that, in today’s society, violence continues to be the chosen method of communication by some individuals. These criminals have still not been apprehended, just as those who committed vandal attacks on the Ghadira Nature Reserve and at the Foresta 2000 site remain unpunished till today. This inaction sends a dangerous message.” he continued, “We are here today to show that we have not forgotten, that we will stand by our staff and volunteers, and above all, we will not be intimidated by the acts of the cowardice.”

Renowned painter Kenneth Zammit Tabona and his artist friends also showed their solidarity by joining those gathered to mark the occasion as well as to paint in some of Malta’s most beautiful natural heritage. In fact, Buskett is an Important Bird Area and a Bird Sanctuary and is particularly crucial for BirdLife’s scientific ringing studies. BirdLife volunteers present for the occasion gave a demonstration on bird ringing to the media. Dr André Raine, Conservation Manager of BirdLife Malta, explained that scientific bird ringing is a research method based on the individual marking of birds with metal rings, which have a unique individual number with the details of the country and organisation carrying out the ringing programme. “Bird ringing is an important conservation tool to investigate aspects of bird ecology and biology. It is also critical to understanding migration patterns, which are particularly important in terms of international conservation,” Dr. Raine affirmed.

BirdLife commented that as the spring migration season was picking up, so too were calls from members of the general public to BirdLife’s office reporting on illegal hunting and trapping activities.

“Since the election date we have been witnessing a serious increase in illegal activities related to trapping and hunting. The ALE with its limited resources is clearly not enough to cope with the scale of these wild life crimes,” explained Joseph Mangion. “It is imperative that the government takes this issue seriously and does not allow a blanket spring hunting and trapping season. Those who kill protected species are criminals and have to be punished by the full force of law,” Mr Mangion concluded.

BirdLife called on the Government to fulfil its duty to protect its citizens from vandal attacks as well as the country’s natural heritage.

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