Illegally trapped waders have been released back into the wild at BirdLife Malta’s nature reserves following rehabilitation.
BirdLife Malta said that on Thursday, they were asked by the government-appointed vets to assist in the rehabilitation and release of a number of wader birds.
In a statement, BirdLife said that these birds had been confiscated through a joint operation between the police Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) and the Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) from a location in the south of Malta.
The joint operation was undertaken following information provided to Police by the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS), which lead to an active wader trapping site being located and various wader bird species were found caged at a trapping site, BirdLife said.
It added that the birds included a variety of species namely Stone Curlew; Wood, Green and Common Sandpiper; Black-tailed Godwit; Ringed and Little Ringed Plover; Spotted Redshank and Common Greenshank – which BirdLife described as “a true bonanza of wader species which were trapped illegally recently through the use of clap nets, bird callers, an ample supply of water and bird decoys.”
The find included also a whole flock of Black-winged Stilts which, according to BirdLife, “were probably trapped together with a single swipe of a net.”
All birds have been checked by veterinarians who certified the majority of them as fit for release last Friday at BirdLife Malta’s three nature reserves that have ideal habitat for these wading birds: Ghadira, Simar and Salina Nature Reserves.
BirdLife appealed to members of the public who may spot illegal trapping activity document such activity using photos and videos and contact the organisation.
Photos and video by BirdLife Malta