Update with response from Government and KSU – BirdLife Malta has said that it is "disgusted and disappointed at the killing of Black Storks yesterday," and calls on the Prime Minister to "suspend season during the present migration peak to safeguard protected birds."

The NGO said that it is requesting the Government "to suspend the hunting season till the 15th of October, in order to allow a safer passage during the migration of protected birds such as birds of prey, herons, and possibly other flocks of storks."

BirdLife stated that yesterday was a sad day for Malta's conservation efforts when two Black Storks "were shot dead."

BirdLife Malta's officials witnessed one of the Black Storks (Cikonja Sewda) struggling in flight over Buskett, "with what looked like a blood stain on the chest. It eventually died, and was passed into police custody."

"The Black Stork was originally one of two birds shot at on Gozo. One was killed and picked up by a hunter, the details of which have been passed on to the police by BirdLife Malta."

BirdLife said that the other Black Stork, "although suffering from gunshot injuries to the belly and had lead pellets in the left wing, had continued to migrate and reached Malta where it joined three White Storks (Cikonja Bajda) seen at the airport area, but succumbed to its injuries and was handed to the police. Another White Stork was earlier observed in Gozo, apparently also with an injury."

"Two of the White Storks are ringed, with rings belonging to the Italian ringing scheme tracing them back to Udine in north-east Italy. It is interesting to note that this is the second time that birds from this conservation project in Italy have made their way to Malta. On the 16th of September 2014, a flock of ten storks from the same area had roosted in Marsa with one of them shot dead leading the Government to close the hunting season."

BirdLife said that "following the illegal killing of protected birds in the last few days including Night Herons, Bee-eaters, a Golden Oriole and reportedly a Honey Buzzard this morning (see timeline of illegalities at the end of article), this latest case of the Black Storks is a clear sign that with all the good intentions from Government and the Administrative Law Enforcement Unit (ALE), illegal hunting in Malta is yet uncontrolled."

"While one cannot argue that in general terms the situation of illegal hunting in Malta has improved, the latter cases in the past days indicate this year could be one of the worst in recent years."

BirdLife Malta went on to say that it "reminds the Government that the laws and fines enacted are there to protect birds and hence if these fail, more drastic measures would be expected such as suspending the season. This would not be a collective punishment but a method of safeguarding the birds."

BirdLife Malta thanked the Malta Police Force for its constant collaboration and also the general public for the information they continuously pass over and urged them "to keep this up."

"The struggle to safeguard birds is still not over and those who would like to support our work could also become members. This can be done by visiting http://birdlifemalta.org/become-member," said BirdLife Malta

BirdLife said that the timeline of illegalities since start of 2016 autumn hunting season is as below:

"6th of September, Valletta: Yellow-legged Gull (Gawwija Prima) Larus cachinnans received with three pellets in its right wing, leg and neck and had to be euthanised

10th of September, Wied ir-Rum, limits of Dingli: at least three Night Herons (Kwakka) Nycticorax nycticorax reported seen falling to the ground after a flock of herons came under fire

10th of September, Tal-Virtù, Rabat: Two Bee-eaters (Qerd in-Nahal) Merops apiaster reported having been shot dead over the area

10th of September, Manikata: Golden Oriole (Tajra Safra) Oriolus oriolus shot and euthanised due to injuries sustained

12th of September, Gozo and Malta: Two Black Storks (Cikonja Sewda) Ciconia nigra shot dead

13th of September, Hal Far: reports of a Honey Buzzard (Kuccarda) Pernis apivorus shot down being investigated."

Government response:

Referring to the statement of BirdLife Malta, the Government said that "the poaching cases are being investigated by the Police. On conviction, any person who is liable will receive punishment that is among the most severe in Europe for illegal hunting."

The Parliamentary Secretariat said in its statement that, "the prerogative to make recommendations to suspend or amend the parameters of any hunting season is for the Ornis Committee".

"The Government always evaluates and act son the recommendations of this committee."

KSU Statement:

Kaccaturi San Ubertu (KSU) in a statement this afternoon said that it condemned the shooting of any protected species and callrf on the judiciary "to show no mercy with the perpetrators."

"The same Black Stork which was found was earlier photographed by one of our members while flying over Buskett," KSU said.

KSU invited the Police "to take all the necessary steps and investigate the person who Birdlife said was seen shooting and collecting the bird. Even if no hard evidence is found, if there where witnesses, we expect that they testify so that the person who broke the law is punished."

KSU went on to say that it "deplores Birdlife Malta's extremism calling for the suspension of the hunting season. Though in denial, Birdlife Malta are witness to a remarkable change in mentality where the absolute majority of hunters enjoy the spectacle of migration and respect our hunting laws."

"In a democratic society the actions of a few undesirables should never lead to castigating a law abiding majority. Our laws and appropriate fines and imprisonment are there to castigate the few remaining people that believe they are above the law," it said.

KSU commended the "exemplary behaviour of the hunting community and augurs that through their intervention those that persist in breaking the law are brought to justice."

Top photograph by BirdLife Malta and below photo supplied by KSU

Permalink: Update: BirdLife calls for suspension of hunting season till 15th of October