Poachers prey on migratory birds seeking shelter from storm
September. BirdLife Malta and CABS (Committee Against Bird Slaughter) has received many reports of illegal hunting the day before their international conservation camps started. BirdLife Malta also received many reports of protected species being shot after a storm the previous night brought many migratory birds into Malta seeking shelter.
A Common Kestrel, a Purple Heron- a species of Conservation Concern in Europe -, a Grey Heron, a Night Heron and a little bittern have all been passed to Birdlife with pellets embedded internally.
Illegal hunting
Since the start of the hunting season BirdLife Malta has recorded illegal shooting at protected species including Osprey, Honey-buzzard, Eleonora's Falcon, Hobby, Night Heron, Red Knot, Little Egret and Mediterranean Gull. Illegal sea hunting for protected Oystercatchers and Shelduck using high powered speedboats has also been recorded by BirdLife field teams.
"The denial of the scale of illegal killing of migratory birds by the authorities have so far worked in favour of illegal hunters who once again started blasting protected species out of sky with impunity. " said Tolga Temuge, BirdLife Malta Executive Director.
Raptor Camp
BirdLife Malta and CABS will be joining forces in their efforts to monitor and report illegal hunting to the police this September. BirdLife's Raptor Camp and CABS' Operation Safe Passage start today and will continue till the 26th September. 68 volunteers from 10 countries are joining the BirdLife and CABS conservation camps.
CABS and BirdLife Malta also welcomed the authorities' recent confirmation that police officers on extra duties will be assigned to the conservation camps to ensure the security of the bird watchers who have faced many attacks in the past. BirdLife Malta and CABS teams will continue to operate on public land and their whereabouts will be made known to the police.
This Purple Heron, a Species of Conservation Concern in Europe, was recovered with gunshot injuries from Gozo. The bird had a wound to the neck and X-rays showed two pellets embedded internally.
