Hunters unhappy at new regulations

Protected birds are already being indiscriminately gunned down, according to BirdLife Malta, as the hunters' federation pledged to issue directives to members in protest at the new hunting regulations.

The hunters and BirdLife exchanged broadsides yesterday, on the eve of the opening of the new hunting season and just a day after the government unveiled its open season regulations.

While the hunters objected to the 3 p.m. curfew for a fortnight during the autumn season, BirdLife has already raised the alarm bells.

An injured night heron was found in the gardens of San Anton Palace, in Attard, as BirdLife started to receive illegally shot birds.

The night heron had two wounds, one in its stomach, while another shot practically severed its left wing from its body.

Apart from the night heron, another two protected birds brought to the BLM office in Ta' Xbiex were a common kingfisher and a grey heron, both of which succumbed to their injuries.

The grey heron was also recovered in Attard while the common kingfisher was picked up at Mellieha Bay. All the three species are protected birds under national law and throughout the EU.

The conservation organisation urged the government to actively combat all forms of illegal hunting.

BLM president Joseph Mangion called on the government to reinforce the police Administrative Law Enforcement unit in order to ensure that the situation on the ground can be adequately monitored.

Throughout the hunting season, BirdLife said it will continue to relay reports of illegal hunting incidents and injured birds received to both the ALE and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

Injured protected species picked up by BirdLife members, who have a Mepa permit to handle dead or injured protected species, are taken to a vet. If the injuries are too severe, the vet euthanises them and they are then passed on to the Natural History Museum. If they can be rehabilitated, the birds are given to a licensed BirdLife volunteer. Once they have been nursed back to health, they are then released into the wild.

"Autumn is when the wild birds start their migration from Europe to their wintering grounds in Africa. BirdLife recognises the right of the Maltese hunters to hunt certain species that are allowed by law. We sincerely hope all the hunters will obey the law and allow the protected species to continue their journey to their wintering grounds," Mr Mangion said.

Hunting of birds from land will be allowed between Saturday and January 31, hunting from seacraft between October 1 and January 31 while trapping for finches will be allowed between October 1 and January 31.

The hunters' federation accused the government of failing to enforce its regulations and of caving in to BirdLife's demands.

Due to a minority of hunters, the government continues ignoring the absolute law-abiding majority and persists in reducing the hunting periods further, it said.

Such an arbitrary move, which even jarred with the international norm, is unacceptable for the thousands of hunters, the FKNK added.

The federation accused Environment Minister George Pullicino of acting alone and ignoring the recommendations of the Ornis Committee. The federation therefore urged Mr Pullicino to reverse his decision and requested an urgent meeting to rectify the anomaly.

"If the government wants FKNK to play its part, it cannot keep oppressing the federation and its members in whose interest it is to make sure the law is observed and that the few bullies are caught," the federation said.

While auguring a good season to all hunters and trappers, the federation said it would be issuing directives in the coming days.