Two men who were filmed by CABS illegally trapping finches close to Tal-Merlha at the west coast of Malta in spring 2019, were fined €1,500 by the Valletta Court on Thursday.

CABS, in a statement, said that the court also ordered the revocation of their trapping licences for two years.

After the court session CABS staff were handed out summons to testify in a total of 18 additional court cases against poachers who have been caught between 2018 and 2020. The cases are scheduled to be heard by Magistrate Elaine Mercieca in January 2022.

‘We are pleased that finally these men will be held accountable for their irresponsible behaviour and will receive justice,” CABS Wildlife Crime Officer Fiona Burrows said, adding that she expects at least 32 additional trappers to be taken to court for offences documented by CABS in 2020 and spring 2021.Meanwhile, in the last 8 days CABS said that its field operations have led to the arrest of another six poachers and to the confiscation of 33 large unregistered clap-nets, as well as 131 live finches – all of which were found on unregistered trapping sites.

The NGO explained that since mid-September it has reported a total of 60 cases of illegal trapping to the police who were able to identify at least 25 offenders and seize a total of 211 live bird including Hawfinches, Linnets, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Larks and Serins. Nets and bird callers worth several thousand Euros were dismantled.

CABS praised the EPU for the ”good cooperation and fast response to their reports.” However, CABS warned that ”frequent reshuffles and transfers within the police may hamper the efficiency of the EPU in proportionally tackling these widespread cases of wildlife crime.”

”We understand that the outstanding track records of some particular EPU officers are a thorn in the flesh of the poaching community who use their political sway to prevent them from fulfilling their duties.” CABS Press Officer Axel Hirschfeld stated.

He concluded by saying that, ”this is totally unacceptable and yet more evidence that this government is determined to appease poachers at all costs to ensure their votes in the upcoming election.”

Photo CABS: screenshot from video showing poacher removing caged decoys in March 2019 – EPU officers removing illegal nets in Mizieb and Siskin confiscated after a CABS report

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