Birds of prey awe the public at Blue Grotto

Maltese falconers flew their birds of prey at the Blue Grotto Belvedere this afternoon as part of an international initiative to raise awareness on the need to protect vultures.

The initiative was taken by the Fridericus Rex Malta Falconers who wanted to show their concern at the alarming decline in vultures worldwide.

Many vulture populations were under pressure with some species facing extinction. Several species of Asian vultures were virtually extinct as a result of exposure to a veterinary drug, African vultures suffered a dramatic declines as a result of poisoning and American vultures similarly experienced drastic declines.

Egyptian vultures are sometimes seen in Malta during migration.

Malta club director Lawrence Formosa said that such an initiative was also aimed at educating the public about the beauty of birds of prey, which should be admined alive.

All birds belonging to club members were raised in captivity.

The club called on governments and conservation agencies, organisations and people who cared about nature and the environment to support the conservation of vultures.