1 comment.Hunters condemn shooting of Greater Flamingos near Qawra
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The Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FKNK) and St Hubert Hunters (KSU) said in a joint statement this afternoon that the shooting by an individual near Qawra at a flock of Greater Flamingos, reported by BirdLife Malta (BLM) “is a deplorable act that we unreservedly condemn. We augur that, as reported, the suspect allegedly identified by BLM will be brought to justice.”
“This flock of 40 birds had been sighted by several of our members in several locations along the eastern coast of our islands on the 2nd and 3rd October. In none of these locations where they were filmed and photographed, were any of these protected birds shot at.
“We object, therefore, to BLM’s claims of “illegal hunting being widespread and not isolated cases as claimed by the authorities.” the statement continued, “It is also wrong for BLM to make assumptions without first verifying the facts concerning this one isolated incident. Claims of birds “probably killed,”, unless proven, serve little purpose except to stoke hatred against all hunters without justification.”
“We understand BLM’s frustration at seeing protected birds shot at, and we assure BLM that we share the same feelings. However, we strongly deplore their speculating about a known small problem that through our combined actions and those of the police is being steadily eradicated.
“It is only through the apprehension of these irresponsible few that such illegalities will continue to be reduced drastically.
“Both the Federation for Hunting & Conservation – Malta (FKNK) and the St. Hubert Hunters (KSU) are determined to intensify their efforts to see the perpetrator/s of an atrocious act such as the shooting o flamingos brought to justice.
“For this purpose we augur that there will be more co-operation between the police, BirdLife Malta, and our organisations, based on accurate reporting and sharing of information,” the statement concluded.
Photo supplied by Birdlife Malta of one of the juvenile Greater Flamingos shot on Wednesday morning at Qawra Point, holding its injured left leg off the ground. Photograph by Luke Massey.
I must say that having stayed on Gozo for a week recently I only heard one or two guns being fired. This as opposed to dozens in in other years I’ve visited.