The Federation for Hunting and Conservation – Malta (FKNK) has said today that since the hunting and trapping seasons are in their peak, and the majority of the 10,000 hunter and trapper members are to be found hunting and trapping throughout the day all over the Maltese islands, "the FKNK wonders how come not one single member has lodged an official report with the FKNK about the sighting of an "Eastern Imperial Eagle sporting a satellite device?"

"A rare and massive bird with a wing span that can reach two meters, that BirdLife Malta (BLM) reported as having visited the Maltese islands in these last few days," the FKNK said.

Lino Farrugia, the CEO of FKNK, said in the statement that it is "even astonishing, that, contrary to what usually occurs when some unusual bird/s for Malta, happens to visit the Maltese islands whilst on migration, when the bird/s is followed and monitored by scores of BLM and police personnel, this has not been the case for this rare eagle."

He added that BLM is now urging members of the public to keep a look out for the eagle, "since apparently, BLM have completely lost track of the huge bird," Farrugia said.

Notwithstanding, the FKNK urged its members to immediately make an official report about any sighting of the eagle, either to the FKNK or to the police.

Photo: The rare Eastern Imperial Eagle photographed yesterday evening at the limits of Buskett by BirdLife Malta member Stephen Cilia.

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