Illegal taxidermists fined Lm900

Two brothers were fined Lm900 between them after being found guilty of acting as taxidermists without a licence and for being in possession of protected birds including a short-toed eagle and a little bustard.

Carmelo Micallef, 44, of Birzebbuga was fined Lm600 and had his hunting licence suspended for a year after being found guilty of possessing a freshly mounted eagle, a number of bird skins of protected species and of having mounted specimens of protected birds that had not been declared.

Paul Micallef, 56, of Zebbug, was fined Lm300 on being found guilty of possession of several bird skins of protected species and several undeclared mounted bird specimens.

Police inspector Alexander Miruzzi prosecuted.

Environment Officer Stanley Gatt was asked to identify the specimens.