Birds seized from falconry being cared for in Sicily

Fifteen protected birds seized by the authorities last week from a falconry are being cared for at a rehabilitation centre in Sicily.

The birds were confiscated because the falconry, in the limits of Siġġiewi, did not have the necessary documents to prove their origin. Moreover, some birds did not bear the required rings, as approved by the Malta and Environment Planning Authority.

In his defence, falconry owner Rene Scicluna said the birds in question were injured when they were brought to him by individuals and he was tending to them until they recovered and could fly again.

He said he had contacted the authorities to establish when he could release them and to promote his good cause, while raising awareness about illegal hunting in the process.

Mr Scicluna said all the birds were ready to fly except for a hobby, which had a damaged wing, and a marsh harrier which was blind in one eye.

He said he had been told by the authorities to obtain the necessary documents before making his cause public but his wishes were dashed when the birds were seized.

Birdlife Malta said that once the birds were taken into custody, it immediately made arrangements with Aziende Foresta Demaniali, the regional authority in charge of wild fauna, to take them to the Centro Di Recupero Di Fauna Salvatica in nearby Sicily because Malta did not have the necessary facilities to care for them.

Sicilian conservationist Anna Giordano said all the birds had been examined by a vet but since they had been kept in cages for such a long time they would have to be trained to feed themselves slowly and must have a complete plumage before being released.