Hunters fined for having protected species

Two hunters were yesterday fined Lm500 each and had their hunting licence suspended for a year and a third hunter was fined Lm250 after they were found guilty of being in possession of protected species.

Larner Polidano, 39, of Kirkop and Franklin Borg, 20, of Safi, were found guilty of having several carcasses of protected birds. They had a total of 41 birds between them, including eight short-eared owls, several other birds of prey, including a pallid harrier, a merlin and 10 night herons. The hunters were found in possession of the birds in October last year.

Anthony Schembri, 43, of Fgura, was found in possession of stuffed protected birds including two glossy ibises, a montagu's harrier and a squacco heron. The birds were found in his possession last November.

Environment Inspector Stanley Gatt was asked to identify the specimens involved.

Police Inspector Alexander Miruzzi prosecuted.