'Tortured' birds handed over to Birdlife
Two wild birds of prey that were illegally kept in captivity in terrible conditions were handed over to Birdlife Malta over the past few weeks.
An independent vet confirmed that a kestrel had an old, poorlyhealed gunshot injury to its wing that made the bird incapable of flying.
Furthermore, its wing feathers were crudely hacked off and the bird was suffering abrasions to its forehead and wings.
A short-eared owl was in such bad condition that its wing and tail feathers were worn down to half their normal length because of its closed confinement.
The bird's legs were covered in burns, caused by standing for prolonged periods of time in its own faeces. The bird was emaciated and starving when found.
Andre Raine, Birdlife's conservation manager, said it was a very sad fate for such majestic birds: "The people behind this act are not only breaking the law by keeping protected birds in captivity, but are also torturing these animals by chopping off their feathers and keeping them in such terrible conditions. These birds should be soaring free in the sky but instead end up starving and mutilated."
The owl was delivered to Birdlife after being dumped in the countryside and found by a farmer in a field in Siggiewi. In a separate incident, the police contacted Birdlife about a Kestrel which was found by person in Rabat.
The environmental organisation reported both cases to the Office of the Prime Minister and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. The birds are being rehabilitated.
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Edward Zammit
Aug 3rd 2009, 04:22
@ Anthony Formosa Firstly I do not condone any kind of animal mistreatment whatsoever, but you are mistaken on the lobster screaming. A lobster doesn't have any sort of vocal chords or vocal organs so it cannot possibly scream. I agree that it is still cruel to boil them while they are still alive but what you hear when one puts a live lobster in boiling water, is the small pockets of water trapped in the outer layer of its shell boiling and escaping at a high velocity, thus making a high pitched hiss which sounds like screaming.
W Spencer
Aug 2nd 2009, 20:48
@ Anthony Formosa Your comment regarding the lobster, will be respected if, you can assure everyone that you are a Vegan.
Edward Camilleri
Aug 2nd 2009, 18:30
It sickens me that we still hear of illegally shot birds, and the way these were treated in captivity. These incidents cannot be treated lightly and severe punishment must be applied to deter such atrocious crimes. Instead of being proud in hosting such wonderful creatures, many are adamant that these creatures are shot. Everyone must do his utmost to report such crimes and the court to process urgently such cases.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 2nd 2009, 15:54
Well done to all the ppl involved, particularly the authorities and Birdlife in a special manner. That is why we need volunteers and NGOs, in this country. And this is the tip of the iceberg.
Anthony Formosa
Aug 2nd 2009, 15:29
@ Adrian Aquilina, Quite right, let's start with high class people, their pleasure is to hear a Lobster screaming in boiled water before they eat it to make sure it's fresh. Please also don't forget the humans including those unborn, sentenced without punishment.
adrian aquilina
Aug 2nd 2009, 14:29
the torturing,imprisoning,killing,abusing of all animals is unacceptable..harsh sentances to all abusers of animals