Don't kill my "feathered friend"

On February 13, 2002, I arrived in Malta from Canada. The main reason for my trip was to give my mother a little support and courage as she recovers and adjust from knee surgery.

Two weeks after my arrival, I was also giving a little care to an injured racing pigeon, ring number 4590, Malta 2001, Club 11.

The pigeon was found near the Kennedy Memorial Park, near Salina Bay. As a pigeon racing fancier it was more than wonderful. I had the opportunity to help the pigeon regain its strength and then take to the air again.

It was only one week after the racing pigeon moved in with me when my brother's son discovered an injured falcon on the ground at Xemxija Heights.

My brother and his son managed to retrive the falcon from the dried bush and no question, the magnificant creature had been shot. This said event and bird of prey were brought to my attention and it did not take long to realise it would be some time before the falcon could attempt to grace the sky again. Also it did not take long to seal my decision to care for the injured bird and wait for that day of recovery and the sparkle in its eyes to return.

All flight feathers were trimmed on each wing as to reduce the stress on the damaged forearm and give the falcon balance.

It certainly was a sight to see a pigeon and the falcon sharing the same back yard. Of course, the pigeon became confused as to why the falcon was only looking at the surroundings.

No doubt the falcon was also puzzled why the pigeon is still around and did not take off in a flash.

With the falcon at one end of the yard and the pigeon on the opposite side, days rolled on and I did my routine with pleasure. My mom also got in the act - first complaining about the stains on her tiled floor, and then acting as supervisor and soon after completely involved with their care. To my mother, the racing pigeon, which also is nothing less than a magnificent creature, was just a pigeon but soon become a feathered friend.

The falcon was given a name by the now manager of the mini sanctuary. The name given was Kina.

My mum's knee was getting the right doze of exercise and her calling out the falcon's given name became a song. Early morning, the name Kina was played out from the bedroom window and not to my delight.

The pigeon left first and not because of my mum's singing. Several weeks after this wonderful event, I did learn the pigeon made it back to its loft.

Five months after resting and growing new flights and tail, the falcon was ready. Although the back yard walls are very high, the sole orange tree was used effectively to make it up to the wall.

As I witnessed this moment on September 1, I cannot describe my feelings of those moments, when, before taking off, Kina seemed to have nodded goodbye.

My mother was not pleased; to say the least that I did not call her to watch Kina go. I had no idea she was ready to go - Yes Kina is a her.

Two days after, the falcon was back. It is possible she was not rough and ready to make it without help. This was demonstrated by her appetite, soon after my mother's pleasant scream, "Kina is back".

It did not take long for my mother to make it to the fridge and throw the meat down.

I doubt I shall forget this day, the numbness I felt when Kina came down and took the meal, offered to her with much love and anticipation.

Kina remained here, and the next day I picked up three nearly grown primary flights. It is possible the blood flow in the damaged wing is not efficient to maintain the growth and the combination of the stress she experienced induced the loss of such feathers.

She does make it up to the top of the wall though.

Will Kina be here tomorrow or will she make other attempts to grace the sky again? Same for everyone, destiny waits for Kina.

My mother's knee is better and my time in Malta is up.

How sweet it played that beautiful name and short song, "Kina is back", Kina sure impacted our soul. Truly, the operated knee is not my mum's primary concern - it is the well-being of our feathered friend.

I hope the falcon's wellfare becomes everyone's concern and that her life does not end bloody.

I am a hunter myself and I know many hunters in Malta. I appreciate nature and have the willingness to prevent needless killing of wild life, especially birds.

If Kina is shot and killed, man's spirit has died.