Birds confiscated from falconry now safe in Sicily
Fifteen protected birds confiscated by the police from a falconry in Malta, are now being rehabilitated at a Sicilian rehabilitation centre, BirdLife said this afternoon.
The birds were confiscated on December 1 during a joint operation by MEPA and the Administrative Law Enforcement section of the police. In many cases the birds had been held for several years.
As there is no centre in Malta with proper rehabilitation facilities for wild birds, MEPA contacted the Aziende Foresta Demaniali's rehabilitation centre which agreed to take the birds, BirdLife Malta said.
The Sicilian authority on wild fauna, the Ripartizione Faunistico Venatoria, authorised the rehabilitation centre to hold and treat the birds until they are fit to be released.
BirdLife quoted veterinarian Fabio Grosso as saying that some of the birds were in terrible condition and injuries had set badly during the long period they were kept in captivity at the Falconry centre in Malta. It may therefore not be possible to fully rehabilitate all of them. Many birds, however, were very fit, but since they had been kept in cages for such a long time, they had to be slowly trained to be able to feed themselves in the wild once more.
"I was also horrified to see that a Little Egret had its wing feathers chopped off," continued Ms Giordano. "This means that the bird will not be able to be released for at least a year until it re-grows its feathers, even though it is not injured."
BirdLife said that in 2007 it received nine birds with clipped wings showing they had been kept in captivity after being shot. The organisation has also received similar reports in 2008 and has forwarded all of the information to the police.
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Rennie Scicluna
Dec 13th 2008, 14:16
The birds in question were all brought in to the centre by members of the public. They ALL had injuries when received at the centre. Most people finding an injured bird will logically take it to us as we look after birds of prey.
We spoke to MEPA to help us in regard to releasing the birds and Mr. Mangion of Birdlife a few days before the 'raid'.
The birds in question we're being cared for and fed at our own expense and were going to be released as soon as they had recovered.
I hope our many visitors will continue to support the centre.
C Mallia
Dec 10th 2008, 11:20
@John Azzopardi
Anyone can quote the law. It can be your grand mother, the street sweeper, MEPA, FKNK, Birdlife etc etc ...
@Anton Vella
If you read that article properly, CABS actually do say that it is combatting this problem also and even if this is the case in the EU, it is still illegal. Thanks for bringing it to our attention and that CABS are also actively against this. Where is your 2nd class citizen theory? I also agree: Viva EU!!
anton vella
Dec 10th 2008, 08:24
@Geoffrey Saliba
This is taken from Cabs site. http://www.komitee.de/en/index.php?falconry
Some 80,000 eagles,hawks,falcons and owls are kept in Wildlife parks,castle falconries and by private falconries in Germany. These proud birds spend their lives chained to a perch as a status symbol of their owner or as an attraction in falcon shows. A GREAT NUMBER of THESE BIRDS HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IN THE WILD AS ADULTS, OR TAKEN AS CHICKS FROM THE NEST, AND LATER TRAINED FOR HAWKING.
SO I ask ,why are we not like the Germans? Why we don`t have the same rights? Aren`t WE EUROPEANS like the GERMANS,or MAYBE SECOND CLASS EUROPEANS?
VIVA THE E.U.
lgalea
Dec 9th 2008, 21:52
Geoffrey Saliba
How on earth can you breed birds in captivity if you do not first catch birds from the wild?
R.Cassar
Dec 9th 2008, 19:53
Thank you.
now clarified.
John Azzopardi
Dec 9th 2008, 19:42
Since when has BirdLife Malta become spokesperson for MEPA?
Geoffrey Saliba
Dec 9th 2008, 17:04
BirdLife Malta would like to clarify that this article relates to protected birds that had been taken from the wild and held illegally in captivity at the falconry center in question. Falconry itself is not illegal in Malta (or in Europe) as long as the birds being used for falconry purposes are captive-bred and have the legal documentation to prove their place of origin. To prove that they are captive bred, the birds need to have closed rings on their legs, in accordance with the law. While it is not therefore illegal to keep captive bred birds for falconry purposes, it IS illegal to take protected birds from the wild and keep them in captivity, as was the case here.
Frans van Avendonk
Dec 9th 2008, 16:35
re mr Cassar,
in most countries it is illegal to keep birds that are protected unless licensed to do so. Falconers that are within the law apply for a license and after being approved are allowed to keep and hunt with specified birds only, it will never permit holding other birds.
R.Cassar
Dec 9th 2008, 16:24
This begs to some explanation.
Is it illegal to buy, breed or train protected species in captivity?
eg Birds of prey such as falcons and owls?
Thus, is falconry illegal in Malta?
If so, then we are one of the few countries who cannot even have a zoo where protected species are cared for and bred for future generations to cherish.