186 illegal hunting reports in four days

Monica Gale

Sep 10th 2008, 01:51

If Mr Gatt had read my email carefully, he would have seen that I did not say that I agreed with the seal hunt. The point in my email that he missed, was that the eradication of a species is a far greater crime against our endangered planet, than the killing of baby seals or calves for that matter. I also find the argument about the method of killing a little absurd, his mention of clubbing. Death is death and very final. I am not sure that the dying care about the method by which their untimely death was inflicted on them, compared to the fact that it is actually happening to them.

Andrew Gatt

Sep 9th 2008, 10:52

Clubbing thousand of baby seals to death is OK, according to Monica Gale, 'cos it;s regulated, it's traditional and the species is not endangered. How strange! That's exactly what we contend about hunting in Malta!

And game birds are eaten, Monica. We don't wear furs here!

Monica Gale

Sep 9th 2008, 03:06

Whether I agree with the seal hunt in Canada or not, the fact is that the seal hunt is regulated by the Canadian government and the number taken is strictly controlled and based on what government scientists estimate is acceptable and from a species that is not endangered. I would also point out that hunting is also part of the Canadian aboriginal heritage. What is happening in Malta, is the mindless slaughter of endangered bird species for no other purpose than the few moments of perverted pleasure that inflicting death any living thing brings to some people, mainly men. Ultimately, whatever I say will always bring a specious argument from those that want to continue eradicating endangered species. What I would like to see is their reasoned responses after the last of a specific species meets its end in the sunny skies of Malta.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Sep 8th 2008, 12:36

HOW LOW CAN ONE STOOP!! Mr. Finch you should be ashamed of your comment! Take off your blinkers and understand comments properly. Whoever mentioned violence? You have just confirmed to me what an extremist you are. HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF THE DEFENCE OF ONE'S RIGHTS WITHIN THE LEGAL PARAMETERS?!

You have been trying to tarnish my reputation for far too long. Do my comments hit home so much?! Be careful, as through one's actions, certain adjectives addressed to others might rebound to the individual.

Quoting me out of context is reflecting quite badly on you. I urge you to read my comment again in order to realise that I defend LAW-ABIDING hunters and even urged the authorities to bring law-breakers to justice.

SHAME ON YOU, SIR!!!

Ms. Monica Gale, are you aware of all the hunting taking place in your adoptive country of Canada? Should I also mention the clubbing of young seals?!

The recent increase in comments by foreigners makes one realise that the local anti-hunting lobby are again requesting their help - maybe similar to when they sent emails requesting foreigners to participate in this newspaper's online poll regards hunting!

carmel coleiro

Sep 8th 2008, 00:09

I am always amazed and in a way annoyed that whenever a bird is shown dead or injured the prohunters always use the same old song that these are all lies, exaggerations, freezers etc.

I know and understand that its their latest tactic to try and discredit birdlife and whoever finds these birds, but deep down they know its true. If they are really hunters and do go out in the field and talk with other hunters they know that these illegal activities do take place.

And on occasions they actually know who these poachers are. So why do you keep on insisting on this ridiculous tactic. Most of the hunters I know are simply sick by the presence of these thugs and often violent persons who carry out these illegalities. Its very difficult for these persons to be caught redhanded, they are not stupid. So I urge all other hunters to do their part.

Regarding the injured birds. Whenever a bird is shot at but isnt killed does not mean it wasnt hit. Generally an injured bird will keep on flying for a short distance and drops somewhere often dying a slow death, depending on the injuries.

Damian Gouder

Sep 7th 2008, 21:03

@monica gale.

well even the news about the annual slaughter of baby seals in Canada has reached Malta. so one should even be ashamed of being canadian?

it seems its not only hunters who suffer from amnesia

Phil Humphries

Sep 7th 2008, 18:42

@ James A. Tyrell.
I couldn't agree more. Its amazing how people blessed with the ability to shoot a dot out of the sky never see anything illegal happening under their noses ? Amnaesia, perhaps ? or maybe the low autumn sun temporarily blinds them.
The 'Legal' hunters continually whinge about being unfairly tarred with the same brush as the rogue ones, but what are they and their leaders actually doing to bring the culprits to justice. (assuming they know them. of course). It's easy for these 'Legal' hunters to distance themselves from their unlawful brethren in these pages, but talk is cheap and unless responsible hunters take steps to erradicate this problem then their 'sport' deserves to go the way of bear bating and other 'traditional pastimes'. Show some backbone, we have enough jellyfish !

Anthony Formosa

Sep 7th 2008, 18:37

@ Monica Gale, you have all rights to be ashamed of, with the rest of the EU countries, sometimes sacrifices are made to pursue objectives whether political or not, this time instead of humans birds are being sacrificed.
As you are women, and few Maltese women are committing abortion in our EU counterparts, I don't call all women murderers, hence when abortion will be introduced and made legally you don't really have to be ashamed of anymore, because such atrocity is committed in EU and around that globe.
Yes you should also be ashamed of being Maltese, because we invaded other countries and killed thousands of innocent people including women and children.
The next time the Times will bring a picture of an Iraqi child thorn in pieces by one of the EU members, then I would like to hear your comments. Shame on all those Maltese hypocrites.

Ray Bajada

Sep 7th 2008, 17:24

"In one instance, according to Birdlife, an Osprey was photographed flying low over the Buskett area and out towards Girgenti, where it was shot at by least three hunters. The injured Osprey was photographed while flying back over Buskett, with a broken leg and blood on its chest, by a birdwatcher and photographer Chris Cachia Zammit."

If Mr Cachia Zammit is really willing to reduce illegal hunting, he would have better photographed the three poachers not the bird. He would have got credits from both Birdlife and the Legal Hunters!

Anthony Formosa

Sep 7th 2008, 15:10

Dear Anti hunting Gullibles, can anyone explain to me which hunter can hit a bird like that, and do not pick it up, or at least other hunters nearby. I have no doubt that the secret weapon is triggered again. All hunters invest in highly quality hunting dogs, and trained to retrieve birds, and to my amazement the general public keeps on finding these birds, not even BLM who are monitoring the migration with sophisticated binoculars can find such birds.

And what really annoys me is that there are thousands of hunters which they didn't even shot their gun yet because there's absolutely nothing.

Mr. Cachia Zammit, is your picture, as the same pictures downloaded from other web sites?

James A. Tyrrell

Sep 7th 2008, 15:09

It's amazing how similar Chris Mallia and John Borg's comments are!

I've been watching this debate for years now and it never changes. The anti hunting lobby goes on about illegal hunting and the legal hunters say they are exaggerating. I just can't see the difference between so called legal and illegal hunting apart from the fact that a hunter is considered legal until such times as he or she is caught killing a protected species at which point they become illegal.

Now I myself have seen hunters walking through fields with strings of little birds hanging from their belts. I don't know what these birds were but they were similar in size to a British sparrow. What sport is there in blasting birds like this from the sky? Do they eat them or just brag to their buddies about how many they got before dumping them in the bin?

It is obvious that those people who are hunting legally know that illegal hunting is happening and probably know a lot of the people responsible. Therefore it is up to them to monitor what is happening and collectively put an end to it for their own sakes.

G.Grech

Sep 7th 2008, 15:03

Condone or condemn? Which one should i choose? Let me try condemn this time! Happy now?? Because that is what you all can notice..a spelling mistake, but never notice lies, half truths, exaggerations and the total disrespect towards law-abiding hunters. Poachers do not care if it is open or closed season, if it is a protected species or not, or if they are in a bird sanctuary or not. Those should be yours and Birdlife's target and not put everyone in the same basket! And if there is really proof of the reported incidents, I am eagerly waiting for the court sentence.

Noel Enriquez

Sep 7th 2008, 14:19

I am neither in favour of hunting, neither against hunting (unless it's the sping season), however as a person taking an impartial stance on hunting, i believe these are exaggerated claims, and figures have been blown out of proportions! Does not make sense at all!!

Malcolm Borg

Sep 7th 2008, 14:12

Can I suggest Birdlife to take hunters who don't believe them and members of the FKNK with them to show them the illegal hunting taking place?

Monica Gale

Sep 7th 2008, 14:11

Shame upon the Hunters and shame on Malta for allowing this carnage to continue. This news has traveled all the way to Canada not just to the EU countries, which gives me one more reason to be ashamed to say 'I am Maltese'

s.bugeja

Sep 7th 2008, 13:19

This was to be expected after the the spring hunting ban. The hunters' fingers were itching to start blasting away and this year they are doing it with a vengeance.
They want to get back at the bird lovers and what better way to do it than to slaughter as many birds as they can?

chris mallia

Sep 7th 2008, 13:12

I realy hate to see pictures of dead protected birds shot by hunters as much as I hate to see dead birds,rats,cats and dogs on our roads some of them squased to the surface of the tarmac as much as I hate to see those fatal accidents on our roads from careless drivers where human lives are lost and innocent people crippled for life in my opinion hunting and driving should be banned because they both kill. But maybe the human life is not important as much as that of a bird?

john borg

Sep 7th 2008, 12:49

I really hate to see dead protected birds as I also hate to see other dead birds squased on our roads and cats,rats and even dogs hit by careless drivers and what about those tragic deaths of innocent people in car accidents recentlyon our roads or maybe the human life is not that so important in my opinion hunting and driving should be banned because both of them cause killing. Is the bird more important than the human life?

Chris Finch

Sep 7th 2008, 12:44

Sylvana,
What do you mean by "hunters ... will defend their interests at all costs"
Are you suggesting that they will resort to violence?
Even more reason to take the guns out of their hands now.
Do any of the hunters agree with Sylvana or has she just gone off on one of her vitriolic rants again.
Who is behaving like a child? The words Pot Kettle and Black spring to mind.

J Oatmon

Sep 7th 2008, 12:36

I think Malta is just too small with too few and too small wild areas, to be suitable for hunting, shooting and trapping - Malta is just too urban now.

To me the whole thing is daft, and is similar to hunting, shooting and trapping in the parks of London - which wasmaybe reasonable 200 years ago, but in this day and age is just not on.

wally vella-zarb

Sep 7th 2008, 12:07

Gaffe of the day:

"I would like to condone any type of illegality be it hunting or whatever"

Error of the subconscious or Freudian slip? ;-)

Paul Barrett

Sep 7th 2008, 11:54

@ G.Grech

Condone or condemn "any type of illegality be it hunting or whatever" ???

G.Grech

Sep 7th 2008, 11:37

@Franco Farrugia

First of all I would like to condone any type of illegality be it hunting or whatever, but hey Franco, dream on.......you will not be here to see your dream come true!!

Paul Barrett

Sep 7th 2008, 11:35

I am neither for nor against hunting and not a member of Bird Life or any other environmental organisation - i.e., neutral. However I can confirm that hunting has been taking place in the area of Kennedy Grove and the Salt Pans over the last month on at least three occasions. Bird Life's report of only one of these incidents is therefore no exaggeration.
One rogue hunter does more harm than 1000 law abiding ones.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Sep 7th 2008, 11:33

Keep on dreaming, Mr. Franco Farrugia - LEGAL HUNTING is here to stay!

It is your prerogative to believe whoever you want. Likewise, it is my prerogative to believe that BirdLife are exagerrating.

Believing BirdLife so much, what do you have to say about the millions of birds which had been quoted by them?!

Andrew Gatt

Sep 7th 2008, 11:28

So, with all these dramatic and highly visible incidents, all witnessed and recorded, how many people were investigated? arrested? charged?

Or are Birdlife testing the water again, to try and get yet another collective ban or measure imposed on the hunting community, the majority of which have nothing to do with it?

Franco Farrugia

Sep 7th 2008, 11:14

@ Mark Gatt - Well, it seems that Birdlife has proof of what it is saying. And I, for one, know who to believe.

Look at that picture. I am sure you love looking at those dull eyes. Dead. With what right do you kill it? A political right?

Listen to that Mr Cachia Zammit - if that is not proof, what do we need, next?

May the day dawn when there will be no more hunting.

Joseph Galea

Sep 7th 2008, 11:04

Mark Gatt says "I am not saying that there is no illegal hunting in Malta, however, I am sure that it is nowhere near the "186 illegal hunting reports in four days." What he doesn't say is how and why he is so "sure." I am sure that Birdlife can prove their claims.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Sep 7th 2008, 11:03

Birdlife's acts remind me of a young child who starts bragging and exagerrating in order to get its own way! Very childish indeed.

If there is some illegal hunting, I urge the authorities to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice. However, the many law-abiding hunters' interests have to be safeguarded. These hunters are practising their traditional pastime in the parameters of the law. The hatred being shown towards these law-abiding hunters places the anti-hunting lobby in a much worse light than the law-breakers themselves. Shame on them!

BirdLife and Co must ACCEPT that many Maltese citizens respect law-abiding hunters and will defend their interests at all costs. Trying to tarnish their reputation with exagerrations and placing Law-Abiding Hunters in the same basket with law-breakers is disrespectful indeed.

I wish all law-abiding hunters a most enjoyable hunting season!

Mark Gatt

Sep 7th 2008, 10:16

Dear Birdlife,

You never fail to amuse us!!! You have become so pathetic. Year in year out, within a week of the opening of hunting season, you come out with these stories of illegal hunting. In today's day and age, technology gives us all the possibility to record such instances and pass them on to the Authorities. So why don't you do that? Why do you keep showing the same old pictures??

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that there is no illegal hunting in Malta, however, I am sure that it is nowhere near the "186 illegal hunting reports in four days" that you are stating.