Illegal hunting and killing of protected birds in Malta has increased significantly during the autumn migration according to the initial analysis of data collected by BirdLife Malta’s international Raptor Camp observers, BLM said in a statement today.
Since the hunting season opened on the 1st September BirdLife Malta said that it alone has received 23 shot protected birds- an increase of more than 40% over the same period last year.
“BirdLife teams have also once again found the remains of not less than 13 protected birds in the Mizieb woodland last week and passed the evidence onto the ALE,” BLM said.
BirdLife Malta Conservation Manager, Nicholas Barbara, accused the authorities of failing to properly investigate wholesale killing of protected birds in Mizieb and other parts of Malta;
“More than 280 dead protected birds were found in Mizieb between 2009-2010 and all the evidence was passed on to the police. Yet three years later, despite our repeated requests, the authorities have not revealed the results of their alleged investigations nor made any progress towards identifying the perpetrators of some of the worst wildlife crimes Malta has seen.
“Since the 14th September, BirdLife Raptor Camp and CABS teams have recorded a total of 119 incidences of shooting at protected species and 76 protected birds in flight with visible gunshot injuries.”
BLM said that birds of prey remain the most targeted group of protected birds hunted over Malta, with Marsh Harriers, Honey Buzzards and Common Kestrels topping the number of incidents as in previous years.
The statement said that both organisations also recorded a total of 469 other illegal hunting related incidences, including shooting outside permitted hours and use of illegal electronic tape lures.
Enforcement of hunting legislation woefully inadequate
BLM said that “since the beginning of Raptor Camp on 16th September, BirdLife teams have also noted the presence of police units patrolling the countryside. Results show that on average 4 ALE vehicles have been seen monitoring Malta’s 10,000 licensed hunters each day.”
“When you compare the number of officers to the numbers of illegal incidents it is obvious that the resources allocated to policing illegal hunting are nowhere near sufficient. Malta desperately needs a dedicated wildlife crime unit, with the resources and specialist training to properly tackle this problem,” said Nicholas Barbara.
“Instead, promises are made and agendas promoted in favour of extended hunting and trapping seasons in spring and autumn. With the stark failure of the authorities to control illegalities in the first month of the current hunting season, the prospects for efficient enforcement during an added trapping derogation this autumn are likely to land Malta at the European Court again,” concluded Mr. Barbara.
Photo – BirdLife Malta said that these juvenile birds received by them (from left to right) A Common Kestrel, Marsh Harrier and Honey Buzzard, “were all shot in a single day (26th September 2012) during the autumn hunting season.” Photograph by Luke Massey.
9 Comments To "Illegal hunting worse than in previous years – Birdlife Malta"
#1 Comment By Mark On September 29, 2012 @ 4:34 pm
This must stop, it’s an antiquated sport bred through generations of habit. No real excuse for it.
Rare birds being indiscriminately killed for no reason other than the instant gratification of the killer. No one else shares in the joy, I’m sure families are polite but really it prevents every one else’s enjoyment of the birds.
Mark
#2 Comment By Colin Hamer On September 30, 2012 @ 11:18 am
In just about every other EU country this would not be tolerated. Malta must catch up and join the 21st century. As far as wildlife goes the rules should be look, enjoy but don’t touch and certainly don’t kill or maim!
#3 Comment By mark On September 30, 2012 @ 11:33 am
Quite right Colin, although I guess the polititians see this as a vote loosing strategy! How wrong can they be I ask myself. If they believe Malta to be a civilised population then it would gain huge support. Maybe politicians are amongst those hunters, or the hunters are the main holders of the wealth. Even worse in my view, it shouldnt be complicated, just ban it, and allow the land to be purchased by the government or private individuals at a reasonable cost, so there is nowhere to shoot any more.
#4 Comment By Colin Hamer On September 30, 2012 @ 12:39 pm
I disagree Mark, I don’t believe shooting should be banned any more than fishing, or even fox hunting in the UK. Although I find all forms of hunting involving killing animals distasteful a lot of people get immense pleasure from controlled hunting. The laws of the EU and Malta should be adequate to prevent the shocking illegal activities of these so called sportsman …..they just need to be enforced. The only way this will happen is when the anti shooting lobby demonstrates to the government that it is more powerful than the shooters.
#5 Comment By Mark On September 30, 2012 @ 3:14 pm
Alas if only the shooters could identify breeds before they pulled the trigger.
This sport is a little different to most I fear.
M
#6 Comment By Colin Hamer On September 30, 2012 @ 4:20 pm
Even the most ignorant shooter can tell the difference between a buzzard and a pigeon or a stork and a partridge ….unfortunately there will always be some illegal shooting but through most of Europe shooting is pretty well controlled by the true sportsman amongst the hunters. It is this self policing that must be the eventual aim where the culture of the participants prevents law breaking.
#7 Comment By george palmer On October 1, 2012 @ 10:51 am
Call this a sport? That insults true sportsmen and women. The government keeps supporting these blood thirsty monsters and they keep breaking the law. I don’t think the authorities are interested in enforcing the law. If they did, that would expose the sheer number of infractions and that would embarrass the FKNK etc. And we can’t have that can we? It might force the politicians to look at restricting or even banning these barbarous activities. That would mean a loss of votes. Dear me, that wouldn’t do would it?
#8 Comment By mark On October 1, 2012 @ 11:35 am
Im with you George, how does one make such a popular view more apparent to everyone I wonder.
#9 Comment By george palmer On October 1, 2012 @ 12:26 pm
I wish I knew Mark. The politicians are too self centered and seem not to care about the Maltese reputation abroad. Generally average folk are too scared of the hunters to voice their opinions. In Gozitan villages everyone knows everyone else. They know what the offenders are up too, but would you whistle blow on a neighbour who has no social skills, little education, a predilection for killing and a large shotgun? The quiet life and staying in one piece is preferable to turning these bully boy barbarians in. The shame is 90% of the population would love to see hunting and trapping banned, but we don’t have any leaders willing to carry a torch for these issues.