Poachers kill great white egret
Poachers yesterday afternoon shot a great white egret ignoring three police units and BirdLife members, BirdLife said in a statement today.
The egret was one of six that landed at the Salina Bird Sanctuary.
BirdLife said it sent a team to the sanctuary and informed the Administrative Law Enforcement about the presence of the rare visitors as it feared they would be targeted by poachers.
BirdLife Malta conservation manager Andre Raine said the flock was spooked by gunfire just after 6:30 p.m.
The ALE police arrested a hunter who was seen searching the fields shortly after the shooting. A witness had seen him firing at the protected birds, and under examination he confessed to his crime.
The BirdLife team remained in the area until the morning to ensure that the birds would not be targeted again when they returned to the salt pans to rest.
BirdLife urged the government to increase the fines and cancel permits for repeat offenders.
It said that a Wildlife Crime Unit should also be set up to safeguard Malta’s natural environment.
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E Camilleri
Oct 26th 2008, 10:57
Well done ALE for apprehending this poacher. the same thing cannot be said for FKNK who have promised time and time again that they will control illegal hunting.
This incident, together with others, further proves the extent of illegal hunting and the damage being done to wildlife.
Christopher Grainger
Oct 25th 2008, 22:23
Gentlemen hunters.
The future of your legitimate sport lies in your enforcement of the rules by those that respect them, against those who insist on breaking them very frequently, and very obviously.
The day that enforcement of the hunting laws by hunters themselves begins, you will have your sport back and rightfully so.
Sadly nobody appears to be holding their breath.
G. Curmi
Oct 25th 2008, 20:10
Every time another atrocity like this takes place, the apologists - Andrew Gatt, I. Galea, Tony Cassar, et al. immediately jump on their soap boxes to offer their usual BS. Whenever they write, it is about anything other than the central issue in an effort to direct attention away from the problem - e.g. .... it's worse over in England/Germany, yada yada yada ....
Has anyone noticed that none of the self-styled "law-abiding hunters" who posted here today has offered a single word of regret or condemnation? That says plenty about these "law-abiding hunters doesn't it? They provide proof that will likely result in a total hunting ban. The time is fast approaching when they will have to take up some other pastime to replace their current "passatemp".
Chris Galea
Oct 25th 2008, 17:32
Firstly, I do not like hunters and the sight of someone shooting down a bird makes me sick. So now that this arrogant hunter was caught and admitted to his wrongdoing I expect him to be heavily fined. Nobody likes forking out monies. So FINE him HEAVILY.
A number of postings here state that hunters are seen and heard shooting at birds even from the public roads when no police are present. Moan moan moan. When are these people going to stand up and be counted? No use moaning and making anon calls to the police. Poachers cannot be brought to justice unless caught red handed or witnesses come forward. Until then...............bang bang bang!
Anna Cassar Fiott
Oct 24th 2008, 22:07
Tony Cassar, kindly note that to quite a majority of us, drug trafficking and killing of innocent creatures for either selfish desires or literally for nothing (for hunting and trapping can only be called that) are both on a par. (Government authorities concerned kindly take note.) Therefore thank you and congrats to the ALE team who are doing their very best (even though they are often re-called to fill in with other jobs that have absolutely nothing to do with the environment). We have personally seen them at it and they are really dedicated in only doing their job honestly.
r. lewis
Oct 24th 2008, 20:14
Last Saturday while at Vittoriosa for the Birgu by candle light I could hear gun shots coming from the surrounding countryside probably Zabbar and this was at about 7.00pm. this people have no sense of decency. The law must come down on them like a ton of bricks or they will continue to shame us all over the world not just europe.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Oct 24th 2008, 20:14
Mr. Muscat, I can see that the baron is still crying and throwing a tantrum about a ban! Please, please inform yourself before making accusations. First of all, "they blatantly break the law shooting after the 3pm curfew" - are you aware that the 3 p.m. curfew was only imposed between 15th and 30th September? Secondly, "using a shotgun with 3 cartridges" - are you aware that this is the law? Two inaccuracies in just one paragraph. HOW CAN YOU BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY!!
To most of the anti-hunting commentator, I must say that the venom addressed to hunters (not poachers) makes me place them in the same basket as poachers. Responsible individuals are expected to target this wrong-doing without roping in true hunters and using false arguments, eg. stating that EU will impose fines because of poachers, expecting confiscation of legally owned shotguns,etc.
Andrew Gatt
Oct 24th 2008, 19:47
@C. Weitze...........no, they certainly do not and I am totally against illegal hunting. What irritates me incredibly is that as soon as an incident arises, collective blame is slung left, right and centre. Ban hunting, confiscate weapons, slaughter here, massacre there, blah blah blah, from people like, for instance, James Attard who seems blissfuly unaware that the hunting season is OPEN - same as in ALL EUROPE. Or R Attard who is so informed that he doesn't even know that the 3.00pm curfew was imposed (read: collective punishment!) from September 15-30!! What idiots.
There are an absolute minority of poachers who give thousands more a bad name. This one? Please throw the book at him. If found guilty, he should NEVER be allowed to carry a shotgun again, and be expelled from whatever club he's a member of. Leave law-abiding hunters out of it.
The problem is the lack of fair, ongoing, serious and consistent enforcement.
James Attard
Oct 24th 2008, 19:02
Just go to Dingli Cliffs in the late afternoon and evening to see the slaughter going on. Hundred of shots are fired (most of them from public streets), ignoring passers who include old people going out for their daily stroll. During summer police were patrolling around, but now they are nowhere to be seen.
s.bugeja
Oct 24th 2008, 17:49
@ John M Grima
You are right. The solution is through education and schools do educate children to respect wildlife but all the work done by teachers is brought to naught as soon as the children return home to their hunter fathers. these even take them out on their killing sprees to instill in them the urge to kill thus ensuring the next generation of bird killers (I refuse to refer to them as hunters).
Peter Todd
Oct 24th 2008, 17:09
If the government fails to impose massive fines and or jail sentences then they are as much to blame. And calling these people hunters? Give me a break, where I come from hunting involves walking days on end in the thick bush tracking wild boar, you go duck shooting, not duck hunting lol.
R Muscat
Oct 24th 2008, 16:56
Total ban on hunting and confiscation and destruction of their weapons please. Rampant abuse has been going on in the area between salina and maghtab they blatantly break the law shooting after the 3pm curfew using a shotgun with 3 cartridges ,shooting at night shooting at protected species etc. Despite numerous reports the illegalities continue. Therefoe a TOTAL BAN IS THE ONLY WAY THESE PEOPLE WILL UNDERSTAND!!
Robert Caruana
Oct 24th 2008, 16:51
Still far too much poaching going on - it is becoming too regular an occurrance that when locally rare, large and spectacular birds happpen to stop or fly low over our islands some trigger happy poacher has a pot at them - recent reports concern short toed eagles, black storks, the immature flamingo at Ghadira and now this great white egret.
The general public has the right to enjoy observing these beautiful birds which come our way very infrequently. At least this time the poacher has been caught and will hopefully get what he deserves.
P.S Why is it that whenever there is a discussion about hunting or poaching some wise guy always has to throw in some comment about abortion as if the two issues are in any way related?
John M. Grima
Oct 24th 2008, 16:48
I live in Canada. My back yard is part of a ravine, full ot trees and therefore, full of wild life. Waht a pleasure it is to see hawks in flight or roosting in trees. Once at Christmas time a grey horned owl visited our back yard. We even see the odd eagle in the valley. What a sight.
Having said all that, I was born and raised in Malta. And yes. as a kid, we caught and sometimes we shot birds whit our slingshot. IT WAS IN OUR BLOOD, INHERITED.
It all started with hunting foul for food. It was necessary then.
The only way you're going to stop hunters from shooting these magnificent birds is by EDUCATION. Start with the children. Show them the beauty of these creatures through videos of wildlife from the US, Canada and Africa. That is how you get new generations to respect and love wildlife. Introduce them to shoot with a camera instead of a shotgun.
ray mangion
Oct 24th 2008, 16:16
@ Tony Cassar
I am Maltese Mr Cassar and if you defending those who are breaking the law, you may just as well be one of them. How dare these people spoil the pleasure of the majority who love watching the beauty of wildlife. And please note that mixing gun and knife abuse in another country has nothing to do with what we are talking about. Your comments are irrelevent. How would you like you being told to run for a few miles and when you are exhausted someone comes behind you and chases you with a shotgun. I`m sure that your feelings will change. Birds cannot defend themselves but human behaviour can.
C. Weitze
Oct 24th 2008, 15:51
@ Andrew Gatt
To answer your question: I am European ;0) ...so it is certainly not MY extremist organisation, you were referring to.
Apart from that; every country has indeed its own flock of black sheep.
But then again: two "wrongs" don't make a "right" , am I right, Mr. Gatt?
Andrew Gatt
Oct 24th 2008, 15:25
@ all antis.....perhaps you should vent your anger at the lenient sentences given. This poacher was arrested. He will be charged. Let's hope the sentence is significant. Lay off your comments about confiscating shotguns, stopping legal hunting etc.
@Benson Williams....for your information, recently, a UK gamekeeper was convicted of killing over 100 raptors, 37 badgers and about 2 dozen ravens. Not only did your cops NOT "spend 10 minutes" alone with hin, YOUR courts sentenced him to 150 hours of community service.....and a 200stg fine!! ONE PERSON was responsible for more incidents than those reported by Birdlife and their CABS cronies this year!!!!! The true totals must be stratospheric, since the UK is vast compared to us.
@C. Weitze......carry on dreaming. Ain't never gonna happen. Are you German, by any chance? If yes, congrats - your country has the worst record for raptor persecution in Europe....and I'm quoting one of YOUR extremist organisations here.
As usual - slag off tiny Malta, and conveniently ignore the harsh reality in your own country.
john borg
Oct 24th 2008, 15:25
mr benson, lets just not compare justices!! its only weeks ago that a british GAMEKEEPER was fined 200 sterling and a suspended sentence for killing 130 buzzards.....
all should simply condemn these facts without patriotism
s.bugeja
Oct 24th 2008, 15:16
Now that the bird killer has been apprehended and confessed to his crime let the law courts make sure that this criminal doesn't touch another gun in his life. If he is fined a paltry sum and released once agan be sure that he will kill again. These people have no control over their urge to kill and would not think tice at shooting at a bird even if it was perched on a policeman's head.
l Galea
Oct 24th 2008, 15:15
F.bartolo
Hunting is carried out by shotguns, not rifles.
Benson Williams
Do you mean that you are still in the dark ages in the UK?
Chris Finch, J. Borg, D. Borg
Good comments, but the mind would boggle more when you know that we have people among us who want to introduce abortion.
Tony Cassar
Oct 24th 2008, 14:57
@ Ray Mangion
Your notion that the EU will impose penalties on Malta because some hunters still manage to illegally shoot down certain bird species is Birdlife's pie in the sky, and will remain so forever. What a load of hogwash!
The EU imposes fines when Governments breach the law or refuse to transpose or implement European laws correctly. Illegal hunting is a question of individuals managing to evade the enforcement measure that are in place.
I don't see the EU imposing fines on the British Government because of increasing gun and knife crime in London.
C. Weitze
Oct 24th 2008, 14:50
This is just sad proof that trusting hunters with obeying the law simply does not work. It seems that these people couldn't care less.
How many more birds need to be killed; how many more fines does Malta have to pay, due to breeching EU regulations till somebody in power has the guts to put a stop to it.
Furthermore it would be really interesting to find out whether these fines are paid by all tax payers or just by the hunting lobby. Any idea?
Ray Mangion's suggestion of banning all hunting and collecting all shotguns is the one and only solution to the problem. Clay shooting is indeed a good alternative.
F.bartolo F.bartolo
Oct 24th 2008, 14:42
The only way to stop this is to confiscate and register every rifle in Malta & NOT forgetting Gozo.
Joe Cordina
Oct 24th 2008, 14:37
@ Mr Benson
"apart fron a hefty fine they would possibly spend 10 mins alone with this culprit " you are saying that in your country the police are expected to man handle a person for a crime....wow you are back in the times of Shakespear
bryan sullivan
Oct 24th 2008, 13:59
mr skinner , i am afraid that you are completely out of order. it is not the maltese mentality.
a recent report has come out with the news that in the uk. birdlife in the countryside is being decimated by illegal hunting. can one conclude that this is the english mentality? of course not. it is , as usual , the few who sully the reputation of the vast majority.
ray mangion
Oct 24th 2008, 13:49
When is this government or rather parliament going to realise that these type of people are going to cost us tax payers and the islands of Malta penalties incurred by EU for not abiding by the European law. I don`t care about our tradition when it comes to killing rare, beautiful and extremely tired birds in cold blood and what for? To stuff them and sell them illegally to other collectors. Why is it that members of parliament ignore these issues. We all know that all of them are scared stiff not to upset their voters. Is this what it`s all about? Well these members of parliament should be sacked for not doing their jobs and for dragging their heels so as not to look bad. You do look bad all over Europe and you are giving all of us Maltese a bad name "butchers of nature". Wake up; ban all hunting and collect all shotguns. If any of those miss shooting, they can join a shooting club, hire a gun within the premises and can shot to his heart`s desire, clay shooting. You can still feel good and macho.
Mario Micallef
Oct 24th 2008, 13:33
Mr Skinder, i'm sorry its not maltese mentality...if one is to blame its not the whole population...i'm sure that many maltese are shocked to see this atrocity time and time again...i'm sorry but your statement is without foundations..
Benson Williams
Oct 24th 2008, 12:59
If this person was caught in the UK, i would think our Law & Enforcement agents for protective animals apart fron a hefty fine they would possibly spend 10 mins alone with this culprit then put in the nick-locked up. Defying the law is no joke
Mario Skinder
Oct 24th 2008, 12:58
This is Malta for you. No, it is not shame. It is Maltese mentality.
J. Borg
Oct 24th 2008, 12:55
nature did an excellent job, Bird Life put themselves in the line of fire, ALE apprehended this criminal.....now over to the Courts so that the magistrate can sanction a fitting fine (over the killing of a priceless creature) and ALSO send out an effective deterrant for these criminals roaming around with shotguns in the countryside
D. Borg
Oct 24th 2008, 12:54
How can anyone kill such a beautiful bird? Is it possible that there are people who prefer to see this creature dead than flying and alive? It's beyond comprehension!!
Chris Finch
Oct 24th 2008, 12:40
I really cannot comprehend the sick perverse pleasure some people get from shooting a beautiful creature like this for fun. The mind boggles at the mentality of some people.
Is it a lack of education? having no respect for life? having something missing in their own life? or just sheer bloodymindedness? It is beyond me.
f sultana
Oct 24th 2008, 12:34
oh dear tony, i'd rather be dead than live in a world without drugs and without wildlife.
T Mifsud
Oct 24th 2008, 12:31
Well done Birdlife for monitoring the flock and for calling the police ALE for protection. Thank God we have devoted BLM as monitors as there was no other government officials that are ready to stay overnight. Also well done to the police and ALE that respond to Birdlife's calls in a timely manner.
Now lets hope the FKNK fire this guy out permanently and that the courts revoke his licence to hunt and to own any firearm.
Tony Cassar
Oct 24th 2008, 12:23
While respecting Birdlife's efforts in this field I think that the proposal to set up a police unit to protect wildlife is ridiculous and a sheer waste of resources of our Police force (which is already overburdened with work.)
I would rather see a policeman hunting down a drug trafficker rather than waste his time spying on would-be illegal hunters.