A dove breeding and release programme has been launched in Gozo with the aim of increasing the wild dove population.

Launched by Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri and the Minister for Education Justyne Caruana, together with the Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FKNK) the programme is funded by the Ministry for Gozo.

Present for the launch were among others, members of the FKNK, the principal of the Gozo College, the head of the Sannat Primary School and children from the same school.

Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri, who is also responsible for the Wild Birds Regulation Unit, said that the aim of this project is to increase the wild dove population, which, he said, is the only supplementary aid that Malta can provide to help increase the European dove population.Minister Camilleri said that, “Sannat Primary School and Special Unit is the first school to participate in this project,” adding that he looks forward to visiting the school again when it is time for the young birds to be released in to the wild to continue their onward migratory route to other countries.

Minister for Education Justyne Caruana spoke about the infrastructure investment that is being made for all schools, including those in Gozo, such as the new primary school that is being built in Victoria through an investment of €10 million, a project that also includes the modernisation of Victoria’s own Middle School.

This is part of a massive € 50 million programme that the government is investing in our children’s education sector at the infrastructure level, she said.

Minister Caruana praised those schools, including Sannat, which are playing an important role in the environment through involvement in Ekoskola, providing students with an holistic education.

“This is the education we want to provide,” said Minister Caruana, “an education that is more hands on and that ensures our students are given more opportunities to grow their knowledge beyond the traditional aspect of education, but above all we provide an education through which our children enjoy going to our schools to get their education.”

In this project the FKNK is financing the food, with a special diet of seeds suitable for doves, as well as the necessary supplements.

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