(Amended to read two storks shot down)

Two Black Storks were shot down over Malta this morning, a spokesman for CABS, the German-based birdwatchers' group said.

The birds were in a flock of 12 which flew in over Gozo and then Malta late yesterday afternoon. The birds roosted overnight in the Buskett area before flying off this morning.

One were shot down over Mizieb and one near Rabat.

Asked whether the birdwatchers were sure that these were Black Storks, given that they are rare over Malta, the CABS spokesman said they were 'absolutely sure' adding this had been one of the biggest flocks of Black Storks to fly over Malta.

CABS yesterday issued excerpts of a video handed to the police showing another Black Stork being shot down. The group has also written to the Prime Minister demanding the immediate closure of the hunting season.

The Office of the Prime Minister has asked the police to investigate the reports of abuses.

The hunters' federation on Sunday condemned illegal hunting of protected birds.

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