In a statement by the President of the Federation for Hunting and Conservation – Malta (FKNK), Joseph Perici Calascione, said that the FKNK urgently convened its disciplinary board to take appropriate action, following yesterday’s court decision based on an admission of guilt by Alan Farrugia of shooting and killing an eagle,

“In view of the nature of the incident and the extremely serious consequences that this has caused both in terms of wildlife destruction and also in terms of the ongoing efforts of the Federation for Hunting and Conservation – Malta (FKNK) to curtail all illegalities connected with hunting the board has decided to cancel Mr Farrugia’s membership for life,” the FKNK President said.

He added, “other considerations made by the Board, included, but were not limited to the fact, that the specific targeting of a single specimen is a big blow to the conservation efforts made across Europe to safeguard the existence and increase the population numbers of these birds. Furthermore, this was not a one-time illegal act by Mr Farrugia; he is a self-confessed repeat offender.”

“These facts, among others, necessitated a decision that went beyond what the local courts decided to impose in terms of deprivation of hunting licence,” Perici Calascione concluded.

Allan Farrugia, aged 24 from Luqa was fined €4,600 on Friday morning, after pleading guilty to hunting a protected bird in the Siggiewi area on Wednesday.

Inspector Ramon Mercieca, the prosecuting officer, accused the man of shooting down a Short-Toed Eagle, which is listed as a protected species.

The accused also admitted to having in his possession 75 stuffed protected birds and carrying out taxidermy services.

Allan Farrugia was disqualified by the court from hunting for three years and had his taxidermy tools, two shotguns and his vehicle confiscated.

Photograph – BLM: Short-Toed Eagle at Buskett on Wednesday afternoon.

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