Two held after flamingoes shooting

Two men are being held for questioning by the police after two flamingoes were shot at Marsaxlokk Bay yesterday morning.

The protected birds were shot even as environment inspectors from Mepa shouted at the hunters to refrain. They were then left in the water as the hunters suddenly became the hunted, fleeing from the inspectors and the police.

The inspectors went to the Ballut nature reserve in Marsaxlokk after reports that the two flamingoes had settled in the bay at about 10.15 a.m. and several hunters were approaching them.

The inspectors started shouting out at the hunters to leave the protected birds alone but the hunters persisted and shot both of them.

Upon seeing the inspectors the hunters fled, leaving the dead birds in the water, with the inspectors in hot pursuit.

Some of the hunters fled on foot and others escaped in their cars.

Police officers from the administrative law enforcement section were called and a pick-up van used by the hunters was found. A cartridge belt was found inside it.

The owner of the van told the police the cartridge belt did not belong to him and that his pick-up had been stolen earlier.

A shotgun and a number of heavy gauge cartridges, the use of which is illegal, were also found in the area.

Two men, including the van owner, are being held by the police for questioning.

The two flamingoes were part of a flock of four, two of which had been shot earlier in the day.

Inspector Alex Miruzzi is investigating.