Rare eagle shot down

Dr Mark A Sammut

Oct 21st 2009, 00:57

@RSammut

Probably urbanization has done more damage to bird populations than hunting.

WIth regard to the other point. Not being a policing expert, I cannot reply to your question. However, I do know that other countries have specialized policing forces (like the Italian "guardiacaccia" e,g,) whose duty is to make sure hunting regulations are respected.

We do have a specialized police squad, don't we? They should furnish the reply.

My point however is that decent people are sick and tired of all the hatred, venom, and classicism directed at hunters and other groups.

Can't this country behave less neurotically?! Can't we discuss things rationally?! Do we have to demonize those with whom we do not agree?

I commented on another article and pulled an anti-hunting blogger's leg. No hatred, no demonization, just pulling her leg. She said she loves ALL living creatures, and I asked her whether she ever vacuum cleans, thereby eliminating millions of mites. No hatred, just a small, light-hearted comment. The whole discussion is so highly-strung, she got offended! I had to spell out that I was merely joking!

How do hunters feel when they are demonized?! That's my point.

Let's start behaving in a civilized fashion.

Raymond Sammut

Oct 20th 2009, 13:29

@ Dr Mark A Sammut

"Some do, some don't. "

How do you propose to distinguish between those who do and those who don't? Unless you have a practical and workable way for making this distinction, no point in you preaching to us that "they be given the full penalty envisaged by the law". No point in you suggesting something which you know it cannot be implemented.

The hard cold fact is, Dr Sammut, that there is just 100sq km of pristine land left on Malta, with some 12,000 licensed "hunters". No-one can tell one from the other, and none appear to have come forward to report illegalities.

Hunting on contemporary Malta is no longer a viable activity. Malta has now been deprived of bird life for decades. The unmitigated density of shot-guns on this tiny island with sprawling urbanization over the past two or three decades has degenerated into a culture of bird deprivation and shame.

Dr Mark A Sammut

Oct 18th 2009, 17:19

There can be no defence for these two individuals who, it would seem, flagrantly broke the law. The eagle is a protected species, and its hunting is therefore banned. One expects that they be given the full penalty envisaged by the law. Particularly since it is presumed that ALL hunters know how to recognize the species to which an individual bird belongs.

But that does not mean that ALL hunters flout the law.

Some do, some don't.

Those who do should be PROsecuted.

Those who don't should not be PERsecuted because of the others.

At least, this is my humble opinion.

Max Sullivan

Oct 13th 2009, 12:07

@ Joss Galea

From the tone of your arguments I do really hope that you are a Full Vegiterian who would never eat any living creatures no ?!...I hope that you do know that burgers are not grown on trees but that animals are KILLED for a sausy burger. Wake up you are past nevernever land !!!

Raymond Sammut

Oct 11th 2009, 17:28

M. Cardona: "...can you tell me where you actually saw the bird being shot down?"

The Times: "A Lesser Spotted Eagle, a protected species, was shot down near Hagar Qim yesterday evening, BirdLife said today. The shooting was witnessed by a Raptor Camp team."

Mr Cardona, the video shows the bird which many people witnessed being shot at and shot down. There is no "co-ordination" among the antis. There is, instead, a chorus of indignation coming from the general public because bird life on Malta has been practically eradicated by the 12,000 FKNK members operating on 100 sq kms with senters and Frankenstein like trapping gizmos. The general public on Malta have had more than enough. That will have to be the bottom line of this issue. It's hard to see how there can be any other way.

Joss Galea

Oct 8th 2009, 09:00

Hunting is killing. Wheter it's shooting a rare protected bird or wheter it's shooting an unprotected one...it's still killing!!

Angelo Xerri

Oct 2nd 2009, 20:11

Are the real hunters afraid of the poachers? They must be for the simple reason there is more poachers. I am waiting for the first law obiding hunter to report one of these many killers and when it happens this hunter should get a medal. Please law obiding huntres all I say to you is, WAKEY WAKEY, before is to late for you and all hunting on these Islands is all over.

Mark Camilleri

Oct 2nd 2009, 12:34

Why should all Maltese Hunters get the blame for 1 person. I am a hunter so is my Father we never Shoot on illegal Birds why should we get the blame for other hunters that brake the law.The police should take it against that hunter not against all the Maltese Hunters .

Jurgen Bugeja

Oct 2nd 2009, 10:26

@ K.Mizzi

Din x'kelma hi mard tal-mohh!! waqajna daqsek baxxi!! Jien minix niggustifika xi qtil ta tajr protett pero fuq il-filmat ma tidher l-ebda tajra tinqatel u ma tista takkuza l-hadd. Jien kaccatur u l-ligi ma niksirix allura jien marid b'mohhi. Jien flok immur Paceville jew f'xi kazin nixrob b'riskju li taqa' hafna vizjijiet koroh immur ghall-kacca dak mard tal-mohh ghalik? Ahseb naqra qabel tikteb u titfax kliem bl-addoccc!!!

@L.Attard

Did you reported him the one who killed 50 honey buzzards? if not you're guilty like him. Last week I was at Imtahleb like every day and there were alot of protected birds all the day, noone killed one of them.Well done to all Imtahleb hunters!! Stop wasting your time,HUNTING WILL BE FOR EVER.

Joe Grima

Oct 1st 2009, 22:24

The laws are being broken daily, by many many hunters.
It is up to the government to take the next steps as necessary. There have
been many incidents which have
been amply documented and witnessed.
This action expected by the authorities is not an option but compulsory, if
a serious view is to be taken by the
viewers of this news.

Such events and incidents (without any lasting followup by the authorities)
will surely put our nation, the goverment
and its people to shame, especially in the eye of our colleagues in the EU.

If the authorities are unable to control hunting, then this should be
banned, as there is no other rational option.

What is happening today has been happening year after year, with no abate.

One cannot even conceive the possibility that hunting can be even regulated
as the enforcement and laws
appear to be a joke to say the least.

My appeal to the Governement / authorities : The ball is is your
court .....

M. Cardona

Oct 1st 2009, 21:28

@ all those who wrote words to the effect that they couldn't believe their eyes when they saw this bird shot down etc. can you tell me where you actually saw the bird being shot down? Video footage of the bird flying, unmolested, not a single shot...only assertions that it was shot down. And we have to believe BLM and take their word for God's own. Sorry you all...my interpretation follows.

I'm not saying there are no illegalities. These exist and the perpetrators have to be weeded out. Period. But this seems to be the New BLM strategy or should I say "secret weapon". We go bird watching. Take footage of the bird. Claim it was shot down....photos /video footage of bird flying/ none fo the bird being killed, same as happened with the two storks a few days ago. Why??? Damage is done, no need to substantiate the claims. No proof but hunters cannot be "strictly controlled'" ;-)

Which leads me to one question. I have been monitoring anti-hunting comments and to me it seems so very well co-ordinated. Is it merely co-incidence? I don't think so. Many anti- comments are definitely not spontaneous and probably being organised.

Michael Zarb

Oct 1st 2009, 20:53

Where these illegal hunters shooting from the road side?

I find it very odd that political parties have not yet woken up to the fact that they are likely to win more votes by promising to ban hunting than they gain from protecting hunters.

A Attard

Oct 1st 2009, 18:37

Disgusting! Utterly disgusting!! And all the lame and insane comments and excuses. .... totally unbelievable!

j cutajar

Oct 1st 2009, 16:30

@ Max Sullivan...I'll try not to be too childish about this one.
So you want to kill birds because planes crash right?
Hmmm.. tricky answer but I strongly recommend you don't forward that argument to Brussels.

Ray Gatt

Oct 1st 2009, 15:15

Animals are better than these so called sport enthusiasts. At least animals hunt for survival. They hunt for pleasure in the name of sport. Huge fines, jail sentences and confiscation of firearms need to be directed at these irresponsible persons. To whoever wrote that we're all making a fuss about a bird and it would be better to catch drug trafficers, both instances are wrong. Yes these poachers are criminals like drug traffickers since they're breaking the law and even worse in most cases killing. I'll stop now as I'm getting depressed and might have to go to hospital.

Bertie O'Cassey

Oct 1st 2009, 13:59

Guys & Gals, no need to comment. just write "BAN HUNTING" and that is enough of a comment. lets see how many people we get.

Ernest Vella

Oct 1st 2009, 13:44

Nispera li dawn in-nies gew irrappurtati lill-pulizija bin-number plate b'kollox tal-karrozza....mhux sew li jehlu kaccaturi li jobdu l-ligi minhabba nies kriminali bhal dawn...mill-video il-pulizija zgur jaslu....jekk iridu ghal dawn il-kriminali....tal-misthija...din mhix kacca imma vjolenza kontra n-natura....nahseb m'ghandniex nassocjawa mal-kacca din il-bicca imma aktar ma azzjoni kriminali min nies bla skruplu u bla kuxjenza

Alison Natalie Keeler

Oct 1st 2009, 13:33

in response to Graham Crocker:


Even wiser man said: Shooting defenceless and particularly endangered species, is not a hobby but a crime against nature.

Joe Grima

Oct 1st 2009, 11:22

The laws are being broken daily, by many many hunters.
It is up to the government to take the next steps as necessary.
There have been many incidents which have been amply documented and witnessed.

This action expected by the people from the authorities, is not an option but compulsory, if a serious view is to be taken by the viewers of this news.

Such events and incidents (without any lasting followup by the authorities) will surely put our nation, the goverment and its people to shame, especially in the eye of our colleagues in the EU.

If the authorities are unable to control hunting, then this should be banned, as there is no other rational option exists.

What is happening today has been happening year after year, with no abate.

One cannot even conceive the possibility that hunting can be even regulated as the enforcement and laws appear to be a joke to say the least.

My appeal to the Governement / authorities : The ball is is your court .....

E. Azzopardi

Oct 1st 2009, 10:48

They run which means they know they did wrong. He killed it and left it there as he fled!!!
I think something must be done immediately and everything stopped once and for all.
Yes, it is the minority but the law is being broken. The association cannot control its members and even if these aren't this is unacceptable.
Hope the EU will examine all this and come down really hard on us as it seems this is the only way we learn.
I suppose this one did not have any depression.

Mark Cushcieri

Oct 1st 2009, 10:36

yes since i am against hunting and since some of the hunters are making all the others look bad...not to mention making all of malta looking bad i agree with a total ban of say 10 years... otherwise make it your job who are the guys who are making everyone look bad and revoke their permits and guns. XI kultant iva mal hazin jehel it tajjeb. Jiddispjacini. Imma fuq kacca dik hija opinjoni tieghi..jien kontriha imma min naha lohra jekk pajjizi ohra fl ewropa ghandom dritt jikkacjaw certi species mghandnix ghala Malta ma jkollnix dan id dritt ...meta titghallmu tkunu nies imma u twaqqfu l min qed ihammeg isem Malta.

Alex Ellul

Oct 1st 2009, 10:18

This was one battle between one grossly outnumbered, lonely Lesser Spotted Eagle and a number of Lesser Human Beings, endowed with a license to hunt and an urge to kill. The lesser spotted eagle lost the battle, but the final war will be lost for the lesser humans, ultimately.

I have gone through the comments here and cannot find one single straightforward condemnation of the this barbaric act by the hunting apologists.

Christopher Grainger

Oct 1st 2009, 09:56

Legitimate hunters ... get out there and defend your sport from these morons.
The actions of these individuals with an addiction for killing protected species is severely damaging your passtime, and the reputation of these islands.

As someone has already suggested .. take a camera and go hunting the perpetrators.

Max Sullivan

Oct 1st 2009, 09:32

I wonder why most Anti-Hunting comments are so childish.

If GOD forbids irresponsible people like the latter had to Govern Malta well then we would have to say goodye to;

1) Vehicles on the islands - because a number of accidents happen yearly
2) Knives - because a number of crimes are carried out with knives
3) Aeroplanes - because unfortunatley a number of aerpolanes crash
4) .....and so forth


Grow up do not post General comments - in everything we do there is the Right & Wrong

Chris Grillo

Oct 1st 2009, 09:00

You know what?

I think I have the beginnings of a depression....

Further proof required of the harm to nature being done by these so-called conservationists?
Why didn't these darn hunters come home to watch my children weep for a bird close to extinction. Only in Malta, we are helping the species to die out.

Shame on you!

Sean Fenech Adami

Oct 1st 2009, 08:47

Us humans are the only species on Earth that kill as a hobby. We are given a brain, intelligence and the ability to distinguish right from wrong. And we ALL know that hunting is wrong. But the gov keeps tolerating this barbaric behaviour not to lose precious votes. You make me sick

John Borg

Oct 1st 2009, 08:06

I invite Birdlife Malta and CABS to put on line many more video footage of birds of prey that migrate daily over Malta without being shot so they can promote birdwatching tourism to Malta not always reoprting negaitively about Malta. Such video footage will also serve to many people who made comments hereunder stating that Maltese hunters shoot at everything.

Chrostopher Ripard

Oct 1st 2009, 00:35

@ DBC "Your words pass by me like the idle wind, which I heed not" (Shakespeare). I go fishing off land 10 or 20 times a year, max. Anything I catch that is not going to end up on a plate is returned to the sea. You're more than welcome to join me anytime I go. As regards yet another fatuous remark of yours (about trammel nets) - well, I've seen the nets but never the people who put them there, unfortunately. If I do, I will photograph them as best I can and report them. Comparisons are odious - you cannot compare rod fishing with 'kacca'. Don't stuff your foot even further into your mouth, my friend.

Jesmond Micallef

Sep 30th 2009, 23:30

People,

I simply weep at such incidents !!!! What shame, what a shame........I feel so shamefull as a proud Maltese to read and see for myself such ............peeeeeeeep.................ROCK SOLID STUPIDITY !!!!!!

They make us Maltese sound like primitive cavemen abroad !!!! Such incidents provoke my thinking : Do such hunters get emotional when they see such rare birds ? If yes, is this not dangerous considereing they carry a weapon !!! What would happen if some brave person had to try to stop such people ???....... I leave the readers to make up their own minds...................!!!!!!!!!!

Graham Crocker

Sep 30th 2009, 22:52

Wise man once said, "Man who does not protect his hobby is a man without a hobby "

K Mizzi

Sep 30th 2009, 22:19

Sirt niehu gost meta naqra ahbar bhal din. Mhux ghax ma nhobbx nara ghasfur itir liberu u kuntent fis-sema, anzi nixtieq, imma ghax naf li b'dawn il-kummiedji pastazati biss hemm cans li il-kacca tinqata DARBA GHAL DEJJEM minn Malta ghas-semplici raguni li hafna mill-kaccaturi m'humiex nies u m'humiex lesti li jaccettaw li iridu jobdu l-ligi u jkunu nies civili. Hafna minnhom lanqas jafu xi tfisser il-kelma civili. Mela heqq - is-soltu - mal-hafna hziena li hemm, jehlu il-ftit tajbin ukoll u l'hemm sejrin - il-kacca f'Malta daqt se titnehha. Fl-ahhar! Forsi nkun nista nibda mmur mixja bil-kwiet fil-kampanja ta' art twelidi minghajr minacci ta' cowboys arroganti u armati mohbijin 'l hawn u 'l hemm. U forsi wkoll xi darba nkunu nistaw nibdew naraw ghasafar mhux tas-soltu madwarna HAJJIN mhux f'xi vetrina, u lil uliedna nghalmuhom x'ikunu meta narawhom HAJJIN u LIBERI madwarna - hekk kif il-Krejatur kellu f'mohhu li jkunu. Unbelievable x'mard tal-mohh ikun, biex tkun trid timla ghasfur sabih bic-comb u tarah niezel merhi u bla hajja biex imbaghad jinstabat mal-art mejjet imcappas bid-demm. Xi haga tal-biza ghalija din, li taghti hjiel tal-intern korrott u hazin tal-imhuh ta' dawn l-individwi. BAN HUNTING FOREVER.

Steven Brockwell

Sep 30th 2009, 20:56

wow hold on everyone ???? its funny howwe got to see the bird flying around and also the pouches running away nearly hitting the camera crew ??? but where is the photo of the bird falling down ?? if i took this to court what proof would i have ??? none ask your lawyers no proof what so ever.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Sep 30th 2009, 20:40

Mr L Attard, instead of chosing to attack Mr Jurgen Bugeja while stating that "I once heard a hunter boasting that he had shot close to 50 honey buzzards."(we have to take your word for this), why didn't you mention a documented statement by BLM's Joe Mangion who had stated that 3 million birds are shot annually in Malta. This is not something "I once heard"!!! You urged all those writing against hunting not to "drag this down into a match of insults". I urge you to write factual arguments and not hearsay!!

Mr D Cohen your insultive comments indeed show the poor state you are in!!! I pity you Sir! We are proud to be Maltese and if it ever crosses your mind that we are any inferior to whatever nationality you may be, well I will pity you even more!!!!!

carmel james

Sep 30th 2009, 20:38

to all hunters
cant you realize that all this 'verbal attack' from people who are against hunting is the consequence of years of witnessing of protected species being blatantly shot in our countryside by hunters in general and not just a few 'poachers'.

Be honest ...how many of the maltese hunters have never shot on protected species? who can forget those hundreds of dead protected birds occasionally apprehended from local taxedermists, the killing of whole flocks of night herons often in full view of tourists in places such as ghajn tuffieha, the killing of birds of prey especially honey buzzards at buskett in full view of both local and foreign birdwatchers, chasing of birds out at sea from powered boats in full view of bathers and onlookers, etc....but i have to admit that all this has decreased considerably and now most hunters are observant of the laws.

But why now, only now and not 3, 5, 10, 20 years ago. Is it only because NOW hunters have something to lose and back then they didnt....its better late than never but the 'real' hunters have to understand that a lot of self inflicted damage has been done to the hunters reputation.

Raymond Sammut

Sep 30th 2009, 19:59

The onus falls squarely on the Maltese authorities who keep issuing and renewing shot-gun licenses. The buck stops with them, and them alone, for having collected this dirty money, in the form of "license fees", for year after year since I can remember. It has been, on the part of the Maltese authorities, another base and ignoble form of selling Malta's natural resources. This ignobility has kept 400,000 people in ignorance and in deprivation, and another 12,000 in ignorance and in an accursed destructive debilitating addiction. The Maltese government truly has a social problem on its hand, and is going to need a great deal of assistance, both from overseas and from the 400,000 themselves.

j cutajar

Sep 30th 2009, 18:48

@D.Caruana....so how many poachers have you reported so far 20? 30? 40?? if you're waiting for the government to act forget it, this is his last term in office so your votes are useless to him. If hunters are now blaming poachers then report them I'm sure you're closer to them than we are so the fact that you don't report makes you an accomplice. It's your "hobby" that's being threatened not mine so I quite like the idea of poachers getting away with it coz it's leading to a full hunting ban.If you claim to be such a genuine hunter then you should be out hunting poachers.Then we might believe you.

James Mistruzzi

Sep 30th 2009, 18:48

@D Cohen
I am not Maltese, and yet my wife and I have chosen Malta as our home. We have always said, "We chose Malta, Malta did not choose us." It is a beautiful country with a very kind and considerate culture.

When you make comments and statements such as "You people", I would suggest you should seriously consider changing your country of residence. It's not a fair or accurate statement. To all our Maltese friends, and Maltese people in general, please do not consider his / her comments to be the general feeling of all us "non-Maltese" who live here.

Hunting. Well, personally, I would vote to ban it completely. But, although we've chosen Malta as our home, we're not eligible to vote (not even Local Council) as we're not Maltese. This is regardless of how long we've lived here, worked here, owned property here, payed taxes here...mmm.... Another topic for discussion maybe!

GiovDeMartino@Alex Ellul

Sep 30th 2009, 18:07

As far as I know l-Ghaqda tal-K.N.K asked hunters to vote for labour candidates not for Gonzipn.

Konrad Bugeja

Sep 30th 2009, 17:57

This week we saw a footage by BLM where a honey Buzzard and a Marsh Harrier were shot down.While I condem these poachers for their irresponsable act,why in the case of the spotted eagle no footage of the eagle while being shot are available?
BLM if as you said you took full footage of the eagle please show them to us.
I am sure you don`t have the footage otherwise like in other occasions you would have published it.
Are you sure that is was shot down?Or making false allegations to bring sympathy of general public!

Andrew Gatt

Sep 30th 2009, 17:50

@ Mark Borg.................why be offended by D Cohen's nasty generalisation, when you did exactly the same in your previous comment??!?

Christine Vassallo

Sep 30th 2009, 17:18

Whatever 'knucklehead' did this, i hope your very proud of yourself! How can blasting this creature out of the sky be better than witnessing the majestic sight of an eagle gliding over our little islands. I truly can not get my head round the way these people think.

L. Attard

Sep 30th 2009, 17:04

Hunters, Im sure there are DOZENS of you who have the skill to take you into Olympic standard shooting as a sport. Seriously, instead of shooting those poor birds out of the sky, would'nt it great if you had to channel your abilities positively into competitive sport. Im sure you would make yourself, and everyone proud. I know you'll say its not the same, but isnt it an advantage to have a pastime that doesnt involve killing God's creatures, one you can compete with, travel to other countries for, and actually have the whole country with you rather than against you? We'd be cheering you on rather than writing these letters!

L Micallef

Sep 30th 2009, 16:54

We are assuming that Maltese people understand and respect the law when we talk about any regulations that govern the 'sport' of hunting, or driving, or littering, or allowing animals to foul, or anything else at all that interferes with doing just as we please. Isn't it a fact that too many people on this Island, educated or otherwise, get a kick out of breaking the law . We are a great nation and so proud of ourselves and we reap what we sow!

D.Caruana

Sep 30th 2009, 16:52

Let us all agree with Mark Borg!!!!!! (who a few comments below....put all hunters in one fold).
DON'T GENERALISE!!!!!

ABSOLUTELY HILLARIOUS!!!!!

D.Caruana

Sep 30th 2009, 16:45

D. Cohen's mentality is the same as that of all those absurd and immature people who attack the WHOLE hunting fraternity rather than the individual poachers for any illegality.
It is plain and simple.

@D.Cohen. - With all our differences in opinions, we are proud to be Maltese and we would happily discuss this and any other issue without your help (or rather interfearence) Thank you.

Mark Cushcieri

Sep 30th 2009, 16:43

@D Cohen
can't you read the comments and see that all of us here are against hunting...don't generalize and put everyone in 1 bag....I detest hunting and guns and never held a gun in my hands. on the other hand i love birds and nature in general.

joe borg

Sep 30th 2009, 16:32

ban hunting. go and shoot clay pigeons instead or else go to the hospital to get some medication for "idontwanthuntingtobebannedbutistillshootbirds" syndrome

Richard P. Agius

Sep 30th 2009, 16:17

The poor bird does not have the luxury of not reporting to work because of a breakdown, and go to a 'state of the art ' hospital, to recover, as the Maltese trappers do!!!!

Alex Ellul

Sep 30th 2009, 15:59

@ Dr. Gonzi: We, the people, are eagerly waiting for your government's action/ decision/input. Your duty is solicited.

L. Attard

Sep 30th 2009, 15:54

@JurgenBugeja
Do you honestly have any difficulty believing that an eagle or any bird of prey could have been shot down in Malta? You or any hunter who finds that hard to accept is trying to pull the wool over our eyes, as usual. I once heard a hunter boasting that he had shot close to 50 honey buzzards. His reasoning...because no one bird is the same as the other! As usual you're always pointing fingers at birdlife, CABS, government and everyone else instead of looking at the real guilty culprits, who are your own fellows. I think Birdlife and CABS are doing a public service. Please keep it up guys!

@all the people writing against hunting
I totally appreciate your sentiments but please dont drag this down into a match of insults. Just let the common sense and the true conscience of what's right be your whole argument.

@D.Cohen
You're being plain absurd and immature now by attacking the whole country. What kind of mentality is that? Im sure "your people'" have nothing to answer for, right?? If you think so, tell me your nationality and I'll be happy to enlighten you...

M. Cardona

Sep 30th 2009, 15:53

Mr Joe Fenech

Why is it I am so sure I'll see you there too whilst I "rot in hell'??????

Prosecutor, judge and jury.

M. Cardona

Sep 30th 2009, 15:48

If this eagle was really shot, then the offenders are definitely of the type that have to be weeded out ASAP, in the interest of both ends, be it BLM as well as FHC.

However, even at the risk of sounding apologist may I ask one very pertinent question of all those contibutors hereunder..... I see a clip with an eagle flying. Last week I saw 3 pictures on the evening news with 2 storks flying not dead or shot as asserted. And yet despite the widely known availability of "state of the art" photographic and filming equipment I did not see a picture or a film of either this eagle or the two storks being shot down. WHY? Quite evidently the clip denotes that this eagle was being followed throughout and filmed with great priority and rightly so. Hence, why do we not see it being shot down as claimed????

May I also ask if this is a new trend. Take pictures and films, then assert it was killed, and then irrespective whether it was really killed or not, and irrespective of whether you can prove it or not, you have done the intended damage nonetheless.

Meditate gente, meditate!

J Zammit

Sep 30th 2009, 15:42

@ all hunters
Just an idea to all the hunters out there who are angry at the poachers...
If you love your hobby go out during the banned periods without your guns and shoot... shoot FILM as much as you can of the poachers, timestamp your photos and take them to your beloved FKNK

Cops cant be around 24/7 acting like babysitters
BLM cant catch all the poachers

More film less poachers less complaints... It works for all of you and you can have some fun ridiculing the poachers later.

Do something proactive before your "hobby" gets banned.
Stop complaining Start acting.

Jeffrey Muscat

Sep 30th 2009, 15:12

BAN HUNTING NOW

Jurgen Bugeja

Sep 30th 2009, 15:12

I didn't saw any eagle being shot down in the film, we want facts Birdlife and Bird Watchers not talking of bah!!! This is like the Mizieb story over 200 species found in 2 hours,if they are good like this these birdwatchers I will get two of them when I go hunting for quails cause I think they are better than my dogs!!!

adrian aquilina

Sep 30th 2009, 15:09

mr muscat, 2 football teams and someone guilty of corruption are nothing like taking the life of anything..lack of respect for animals shows a disrespect..these people have had chances to do the right thing but they did not so ban hunting.they have themselves to blame.

aj

Sep 30th 2009, 14:30

BAN HUNTING.... Hunters them selves are doing whatever they can to ban their said "tradition".... (what tradition is this of seeing birds dead???) ... it is not fair coz of these barbarous people, that we can't see any bird free flying here in Malta, coz as soon as it will flew over our island, it will be killed by these hunters.

L. Attard

Sep 30th 2009, 14:15

To all the hunters...

Are you surprised that people are angry? The shooting of this rare eagle (after the storks, other birds of prey, etc) is one more straw that is breaking the camel's back. Try to stop thinking selfishly and for a moment put yourself in our shoes (non-hunters). Then you might realise why hunting is a burden to our country. .
...you kill birds we want to see alive
...deprive us of enjoying our countryside especially in spring
...pollute our soil, water table and crops with toxic lead
...litter the countryside with your spent cartridges
...wake us up early in the morning
...discourage the tourists we need for its livelihood, etc
And you CANT compare yourself with other EU hunters. Their countries have space, we dont, so inevitably you create stress for us all. We are the 2nd class citizens, not you. Im sure the liberties of hunters in those countries would be very different if they lived on a 19mile built up island and their hunters had as undisciplined people in their ranks as you do.

So please start to see the light and stop living in your own cosy insulated reality!

Mark Cushcieri

Sep 30th 2009, 14:15

if they can't control their urge then i guess one has to treat them like little kids and punish them until they learn...by banning hunting for 10 years at least. eagles should be in the sky and not stuffed as a trophy in your house.

Alex Ellul

Sep 30th 2009, 13:01

@Dr. Gonzi: Referendum please.

E.Schembri

Sep 30th 2009, 12:55

@Anthony Formosa

Not much is said about the heroin importation is because the culprits are caught and punished accordingly...and rightly so. However, with the hunting cases, the culprits are never caught and continue to make a fool of the authorities and us Maltese. Apart from that, a good majority of hunters play down this fact and try to make us believe that there is no crime.
Also, many Maltese are angry as the little countryside we have in Malta is a battle field for hunters and deprived of wild life, thats why so many comments!

The fact is that hunting is unsustainable and must be banned for the good of everyone.

Alex Ellul

Sep 30th 2009, 12:34

@A Meli: Why are you trying to wake up the opposition? Don't you know that 90% of hunters voted PL during the last EU elections? The PL is very much awake, but on the wrong side of the mirror. We only need to wake up the government.

C Cassar

Sep 30th 2009, 12:32

The hunter left his accomplice high and dry....think of how much regard he had for a "simple" bird's life!

The pathetic excuse that it's Maltese tradition to kill anything that flies holds no water. Slavery was a tradition in most countries, but the human being evolves and tries to improve. Unfortunately in Malta it is a case of me first, me second, me third, and lastly me. These people choose a hobby over a life. Just because it's not a human life does not mean it is any less important.

What a hobby! And both political parties are too scared of losing votes to do anything. Shame on you!

BAN HUNTING NOW!

j cutajar

Sep 30th 2009, 12:30

@ O.L. GALEA..... Neanderthals had every valid reason in the world to hunt, please refrain from putting hunters in the same keffa

Mark Galea

Sep 30th 2009, 12:28

I, for one, feel very depressed at seeing this arrogant and defiant attitude by these cowboys. I'm sure if I see much more of this cruel and irresponsible killing, I'll need a visit to Mater Dei myself.

Philip Muscat

Sep 30th 2009, 11:46

A so called hunter shot an eagle- yes of course ban hunting, 2 clubs in the premiership have been found guilty of corruption ban all maltese football, 2 majistrates have been found guilty of corruption- why not ban the maltese court.................................stop these stupid comments!!

O.L. GALEA

Sep 30th 2009, 11:42

These people - for the most part - are nothing more than Neanderthals with guns (and clothes).
The Ghaqda Kaccaturi, many of whom are law-abiding hunters, will NEVER be able to control these blatant law-breakers.... NEVER.

Emelia Caruana

Sep 30th 2009, 11:41

EAGLE FLY HIGH TOUCH GREAT SPIRIT SHARE YOUR MEDICINE TOUCH ME HONOR ME SO THAT I MAY KNOW YOU TOO.THE FEATHERS OF EAGLE ARE CONSIDERED TO BE THE MOST SACRED OF HEALING TOOLS. THEY HAVE BEEN USED BY SHAMANS TO CLEANSE THE AURAS OF PATIENTS COMING TO THEM FOR HEALING .THE MAN THAT SHOT KILLED THE EAGLE DEFINITELY NEEDS HEALING ........HE IS VERY IGNORANT TO THE LAWS OF NATURE ...THERE MUST BE A LAW IN MALTA CALLED "DO NOT SHOOT EAGLES OR ANY OTHER BIRDS " OR ITS A HUGE FINE AND 3 YRS IN PRISON ENOUGH IS ENOUGH .....

Paul Preston

Sep 30th 2009, 11:16

It's nothing short of an absolute disgrace ! .. When caught "Chop their fingers off" .. Lol

m zammit

Sep 30th 2009, 11:08

What a disgrace BAN HUNTING it is shameful and shocking to see such things happening

Bertie O'Cassey

Sep 30th 2009, 10:47

BAN HUNTING!!!!!!!

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Sep 30th 2009, 10:33

Well Mr DBC, these are the same people who try to portray hunters and trappers as being uneducated, etc! As the Maltese saying goes: L-ispizjar milli jkollu jaghtik!!

Alex Ellul

Sep 30th 2009, 10:28

Close down the season indefinitely. We citizens cannot take it any longer. The birds cannot take it any longer and the authorities should declare that they cannot take it any longer. STOP THE ROT.

D.Caruana

Sep 30th 2009, 10:25

What makes some of you people down here so sure that the filmed alleged criminals are members of FKNK?????????
Please enlighten me.
Don't get me wrong.......they may well be. But I hope you all see my point.
Something happens and BANG, all of you start jumping to conclusions!!!!!!!!!

A. Camilleri

Sep 30th 2009, 10:22

What a pity.....what a disgrace...........this country will never learn. Shame

David Borg Cardona

Sep 30th 2009, 10:19

@ Joe Fenech...

"rot in hell".... Ever tried looking up the word "insolent" in a decent English dictionary ?? Il kacca illegali ma tfissirx li tista tghajjar in nies b'dan il mod.. Isthi jekk taf...

J Theuma

Sep 30th 2009, 10:18

It would be nice to have watched that amazing bird flying in 'our' skies. But no. These people (if you can call them people) are selfish and arrogant.

Its 2009. BAN HUNTING NOW!!!!!!

D.Caruana

Sep 30th 2009, 10:18

Beutiful footage of the eagle.
Two cowboys who deserve nothing less than a hefty fine and withdrawal of their hunting licence and confiscation of their (or his) weapon.

But no eagle being shot down!!!!!. sensationalism at best.

G. Grech

Sep 30th 2009, 09:46

This is shameful.

Why is the hunting season still open? Why shouldn't hunting be totally banned? The authorities are letting down the people who really care about the environment. Where are the police in all this?

Pierre Ciappara

Sep 30th 2009, 09:31

Hunters, have fun with your hobby but leave protected species alone...Is that too much to ask?! Before its too late....And hunting will be banned completely. And you ll end up clay pigeon shooting.

D Giordmaina

Sep 30th 2009, 09:31

Illegal hunting is strictly illegal right ok and there should be justice, but lets make some sense, more than 75% of our nature is made by hunters taking care and planting of trees, how can we ignore this issue, if we had no hunters hear in Malta we do not have any greenery. The second point is how can some people say (Ban Hunting/Poaching) or go in a shooting range when these two are Tradionally Old Hobbies of Maltese People, it is our culture, our grand parents lent us this Tradional hobby, and lets not forget other EU countries who can hunt/poach, like England/Scotland without all these restrictions and we here in Malta we have foreigners like CABS coming here and tell us what to do/make or say lets ban hunting, come on!!

N Abela

Sep 30th 2009, 09:09

mhux hekk!! jahasra now the family of the eagle are in a depression and ME for having such heartless 'people' living in my country!! stop all trapping and hunting its a disgrace and such a barbaric act! shots heard at all times day at night on Munxar...thats giving me a depression! what now?

S Sammut

Sep 30th 2009, 09:02

Did anyone see Dissett yesterday? In other words the FKNK president is saying that he wants an investigation about protected species which were found burried under stones at the hunting reserve.As apparently the hunting dogs did not find any of the brids. Is he saying that they were put there by any bird life member?
This is a joke!

Anthony Medici

Sep 30th 2009, 08:59

Yes do it Mr Franco Farrugia. tell the world what we are doing in Malta. How many millions of euros are you dispensing to encourage tourism to Malta? It seems to me that you dont depend on tourism activities to speak like that. And this for just a bird. Shame on you Mr teacher of my foot.

D Cohen

Sep 30th 2009, 08:44

Why not show the faces of these savages so we can all see who these idiots are. Good work on getting video footage on this. I just hope something actually gets done about it and also printed here in the times about it.

Maltese people... Well, not much can be said for them! You people will NEVER change your stupid ways will you?

S Mizzi

Sep 30th 2009, 08:30

Mr Paul Evans,

Yr comment 'the killing of protected birds is very much a NO-NO here.
Wake up and smell the coffee, or is it wake up and tell the truth? Something serious needs to be done on this small island, that is decimating a part of Europe's wild birds.' cannot be further from the truth.

Are you even aware that bird related crimes in the UK during 2009 have already almost reached the record breaking levels of 2007? I need only point you and readers to

http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/birdcrime_tcm9-226049.pdf

Yes, poaching is a problem in Malta. An acute problem relative to our size but made to seem much larger because of the media coverage it is being given. In absolute terms though, it doesn't compare to the atrocities and carnage that goes on in your country and indeed in other countries especially Germany and Italy.

Of course, you have absolutely every right to voice your concern at the killing of protected birds, but please, drop the patronizing tone and be honest enough in your writing to admit that the killing of protected birds in your country is contributing in a far larger scale to the 'decimation of Europe's wild birds'

Joe Fenech

Sep 30th 2009, 08:25

Then they make a whole scene about being depressed and suicidal!! Let them rot in hell!!!!

a sciberras

Sep 30th 2009, 07:14

Proof in the pudding. No hunting what ever the season.

Joseph Ellul - Sydney

Sep 30th 2009, 04:25

This morning I got up at 4.30 by the screeching of birds in the front of my house.I get Indian Maynas and turtle doves with a sprinkle of ghasfur tal bejt. During the day I see green parrots on the trees in my back yard having a good time . Lately we also get other colored birds and larokettes and some pinkies in the afternoon. Most of these birds come very close to me and seem to enjoy my company. I hear no shotguns. I forgot to say- I live in Sydney.

Joe V Scerri

Sep 30th 2009, 01:13

A sad, sad story indeed ... and personally speaking at least and before somebody starts being patronising it is as sad as seeing a fox being chased and shot at.

Mark Anthony Vella

Sep 30th 2009, 00:36

Hunting should be stopped FULLSTOP!! these people have no intention of obeying the laws, so be it!

Maria Bezzina

Sep 30th 2009, 00:35

Yes finally we have found our problem for the decline in tourism,thank to mr Douglas and co!How come other countries which are worse offenders then Malta on hunting ,are increasing there tourism?Yet in other civilised countries ,tourism is promoted even with hunting holidays were the real millions of birds and also animals are hunted.

This yet was another proof that the collective punishment for hunting is no success to clear out poachers!

You can hear many people cry for a hunting ban when an isolated poaching incident happens ,BUT you never hear some one whisper to ban rave parties when plentiful are caught on drugs in the same parties!As if hunting is the only problem ,while drugs which are the greatest reason for social problems are being ignored or even tolerated....

emanuel zammit

Sep 29th 2009, 23:17

ban hunting now...future generations will thank us for it.....re educate the primitive hunters!!
they are not going to change their ways.....

C. Zammit

Sep 29th 2009, 22:49

Unfortunately the authorities seem to be closing all eyes on this issue. Something needs to be done urgently.

I ask all those who condemn birdlife of frame-ups, if they judge this footage as a frame-up also?!?!?

r sammut

Sep 29th 2009, 22:11

@David Borg Cardona
As you pointed out Sir, the video stopped short to show any bird being downed! Not to doubt weather the bird was shot down, but it is lacking in the most vital evidence!

What the video clearly shows is one man with a gun getting into a car and clearing off and another running off in no much of a hurry it seems! Was he also trying to phone?

Having had past experiences of BLM ways to exaggerate in reports makes one wonder about this!!!

Andrew Gatt

Sep 29th 2009, 22:04

Oh come on! Here we go again. A video of (at the very least) a law-breaking individual (ONE out of 12,000 +) who seems to have someting to hide, and the C Mallias, S Azzopardis, Chris Finches etc fly into a righteous anti-all-hunting-and-hunters-and-shotguns-rage.

No reasoning with extreme attitudes like yours; you want all hunting banned full stop, you blame all hunters for the actions of criminal scum who are an absolute minority on a tiny dot where everything is visible.

Question: How many of you are out in the countryside at 6.00 am daily? Not many? Thought so, because if you were, even you would notice the vastly reduced scale of illegalities. REAL progress has been made, yet you still exaggerate and bleat nonsense from your extremist position.

Hunters who respect the laws and yes, who gain as much pleasure from seeing birds of prey (as you do) while leaving them alone are fed up to the back teeth as much as you lot are.
We respect the laws. The least YOU can do is show US some respect.

Last thought: Poachers care NOTHING about laws or clubs. Seasons or bans. Collective punishments simply keep us indoors and them outside.

Geoffrey Mifsud Farrugia

Sep 29th 2009, 21:28

i am on anti deptressants too! I can't enjoy birds flying in the sky any more! the sky is just one big lump of blue and white - motionless without anything moving....i am depressed..cant work properly thinking of all these hunters waking up early in the morning to shoot the hell out of the sky just for fun.

Can we be bold and ban hunting perpetually please!

Douglas Bagnall

Sep 29th 2009, 21:26

Welcome to Malta.
Just another reason why tourism is in decline, you just don`t get it do you,

J. Borg

Sep 29th 2009, 21:21

Supposedly law-abiding hunters were all out against CABS

CABS are doing what our spineless government is refusing to do, and what the same law abiding hunters and their representatives are afraid to do.......report their peers who they know and see killing birds just for "fun" or to retain a sick trophy of.

Then they also have the cheek to question the raw footage that is lumped in their face.

Last but not least, they are insensitive enough to try and attract sympathy by reporting suicides - and then they persist to be irresponsible enough to declare Spring hunting is on as a fact (and thus raise expectations amongst their members) - when they know that this is untrue.....and with what we are seeing to date......very highly unlikely!

Paul Evans

Sep 29th 2009, 21:20

@ David Borg Cardona
If you are so clever at filming, have a go yourself with a camera at the raptor camp.
What direction are you going to point the camera?
At what time are you going to look for a shooting?
When the bird is downed, you will hear the shot after it has happened, you will raise the camera and star filming.... sorry, the event is all over.
What have BLM or CABS got to gain from telling "stories"?
Hunting goes on in the UK all the time, but the killing of protcted birds is very much a NO-NO here.
Wake up and smell the coffee, or is it wake up and tell the truth? Something serious needs to be done on this small island, that is decimating a part of Europe's wild birds.
Scotland has just re-introduced the Sea Eagle after a hundred years and they are breeding very fast.... amazing! .... Oooops, don't tell the Maltese.
I would hate to think what the Maltese would do with them if they knew where to look.
At this rate, there will be no birds left on the planet..... what are we going to do then?
Mass suicide?

j cutajar

Sep 29th 2009, 21:19

Poacher: ....A fictitious character played by a hunter to look appealing

David Borg Cardona

Sep 29th 2009, 21:06

@ Chris Ripard..

On the same lines, whilst you were on one of your fishing foray's would you kindly let us know how many times you have reported instances of illegal fishing.. like for example the laying of trammel nets close to the shore.. I bet I know the answer ...

Everybody seems to play the holier than thou attitude I'm afraid... Yet it seems as if poaching is the only punishable crime and the only item to make news on this island. Mentioning fisherman ,one conveniently forgets for example the number of under sized fish caught by rod fisherman and left to rot in the sun or given to the neighbours cat. Hunting seems to be the sole issue for our charlatan environmentalists.. Rings a bell Chris ??????????

Franco Farrugia

Sep 29th 2009, 20:59

And let us do our level best to make sure that this atrocity, like so many others, are known to people abroad, far and wide, so that they will understand what is happening in Malta.

K.D. Ebejer

Sep 29th 2009, 20:59

This shames us again as a Maltese nation ..... the Maltese hunter and his hunting mentality can never be trusted.... ban hunting altogether.

Franco Farrugia

Sep 29th 2009, 20:58

Well, this is what we get when we allow hunting. Let the European authorities realise that there can be no sustainable hunting and that there is no possibility of hunting being controlled! This is the stark reality, whether we like it or not. We know who we are dealing with: hunters!

a.tabone

Sep 29th 2009, 20:45

@David Borg Cardona

As usual DBC..... you run with the hares and hunt with the hounds............

S.Azzopardi

Sep 29th 2009, 20:28

STOP HUNTING NOW !

Hunters justify their deeds by saying that its a tradition ,,,,,well even burning witches once was a tradition

L. Falzon

Sep 29th 2009, 20:25

The government needs to act to stop this slaughter that is tarnishing our country. One solution: a well equipped Wildlife crime unit, BLM wants it, FKNK wants and it is needed as we keep seeing every day....

The environment was said to be at the top of the agenda for this government...........

Chris Finch

Sep 29th 2009, 19:55

I thought the FKNK recently came out with a zero tolerance approach to illegal hunting? Then why do we have apologists for this action?
Either there is a zero tolerance approach, and the work done by the Raptor Camp should be applauded by all, or the hunters are really sticking up for those that shoot anything. Possibly because it is much more widespread than they care to admit.

Christopher Ripard

Sep 29th 2009, 19:38

@DBC - Instead of blatantly fatuous statements like "I fully condemn any illegal hunting . . .", be a real man and say how many times, while you were "communing with nature", enjoying your "hobby", you witnessed the law being broken . . . and how many times you took action.

David Borg Cardona

Sep 29th 2009, 19:35

In my previous comment I pointed out that the article stated " the shooting was filmed by a Raptor Team camp". However after sending a comment to the Times moderator, this was changed to " the shooting was witnessed by a Raptor Team Camp". since in actual fact, there is no film of the eagle being shot down. Therefore I guess we will have to take BLM's word (with more than a pinch of salt) for it. Since they have come up with this sensational news without showing us the eagle being shot down !!!

For all I know I could phone BLM and say that I have witnessed illegal hunting or phone them "crying" saying that I saw countless honey buzzards being shot down. Who is to prove me wrong.. yet probably BLM will issue a press relase saying that a member of the public was in tears after seeing birds of prey shot down. U halluna BLM.. AR.. you love these kind of theatrical shows don't you ????

James Mizzi

Sep 29th 2009, 19:28

Early afternoon around 1pm, in San Anard, limits of Xghajra, I have witnessed a protected bird of prey being shot down. I am sure that illegal hunting is widespread throught the country . However says the contrary is a liar.

David Borg Cardona

Sep 29th 2009, 19:19

@ The usual anti hunting moaners...

The article states: "the shooting was filmed by a Raptor Camp team" As far as I am concerned, the video submitted by BLM does NOT repeat does NOT show the eagle being shot down. If the video in actual fact does show it being killed, then BLM should kindly re-produce the entire film. Else, as usual they are presenting totally unfactual evidence in order to impress and make a big issue as is their norm.

Having said this however, I fully condemn any illegal hunting on protected species. This has got to STOP immediately since all law abiding hunters are suffering the consequences. and one hopes that if any poachers are caught, they are fined heavily in order to act as a deterrent.

Edward Camilleri

Sep 29th 2009, 19:14

We are fed up. If hunters/poachers cannot control themselves, the police cannot control them, then how can spring hunting be opened with restrictions?

And yet many blame CABS! They are doing our work. Those that oppose cabs must be doing something really wrong. We cannot continue killing one protected bird after another. We should admire that eagle and not shoot it.

joseph galea

Sep 29th 2009, 18:40

First and foremost we need to be mature when writing our comments.
We cannot pin the cowardly act on FKNK, the police or the prime minister.
We have to understand that not all corners on our islandsc an be patrolled.
If the persons we have seen on film are the culprits; let us give them what they deserve and hope that it will create a deterrant to would-be future cowards.
I have friends who are real hunters and respect the rules. We cannot pu everybody in the same box.
Some foreigners say that Maltese drivers are crazy. Some ARE.
joe the plumber

a attard

Sep 29th 2009, 18:32

One cannot but admire the efforts and risks these raptor camp participants are going through to make the general public aware of such happenings - well done and thank you.

Henry Fenech Azzopardi

Sep 29th 2009, 18:12

It is really a pity that the majority of contributors do not distinguish legal hunting from illegal hunting. We are all against illegal hunting, but legal hunting is a right that nobody can deprive the hunter from. It has also been confirmed by the European Court of Justice and since its ruling heaven broke lose, and the daily paper is being loaded with the same usual cantalena that frustrates all those that are updated with the facts. This is another systimatic approach to make pressure on the government to give what is due by promise and now by ECJ ruling to the law abiding hunters.

jmicallef

Sep 29th 2009, 17:45

Can't figure out how someone can call the killing of such a beautiful animal a 'sport' or a 'pastime'. Even if it were an 'ugla' animal, mind you, it's still unbearable to watch.

I find it sickening.

I appreciate that the FKNK really want their members (or rather all hunters) to abide by the law, but it still remains that this is an UNREGULATED activity. Hunters dont have to report to HQ with their catch. Whatever they shoot on is up to them.

Those that are making comparison to other criminal activities....well, please don't. Let's just stick to the subject matter.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Sep 29th 2009, 17:15

Primarily I condemn poaching!! As for the extremists commenting below, I have a question for them: Had an individual from CABS to be found guilty of having something illegal in his possession, will you use the same yardstick and condemn all CABS personnel?

Max Sullivan

Sep 29th 2009, 17:13

I fail to understand the line of reasoning behind most of the below-mentioned armchair critiques. A person with a shotgun shot down a protected bird ? fine than he is a criminal and not a hunter. Therefore he should face the necessary consequences. FULL STOP !

Let’s not be ridiculous and accuse all hunters or the FKNK of this incident. It would be like saying “LETS BAN ALL KNIVES BECAUSE SOMEONE HURT SOMEONELSE"

Let's be mature and refrain from issuing sensational titles or comments.

Antoine Grima

Sep 29th 2009, 16:46

Hope you catch the poachers and let them get what they deserve . Get these cowboys out of our midsts

D Camilleri

Sep 29th 2009, 16:43

Hello ... Gonzi.. are you there ? wake up and get that smile off your face and do something. not another speach, do something useful, and set up a well staffed unit to tackle this problem.

BAhhhhh, jitbissem u l-hajja tkompli

Michelle Bezzina

Sep 29th 2009, 16:41

Lil dan il-kriminal j'alla jaqbduh u jaghtu lezzjoni bih ma kulhadd pero ma naqbilx maghkom meta titfghu lil kulhadd f keffa wahda.

r sammut

Sep 29th 2009, 16:40

Not even a shadow of the vengeance is shown towards drugs pushers caught roaming in places frequented by young generations, as that shown towards hunters when one or other breaks the law! I am to be counted when condemning these vile poaching acts… but then to put all hunters in the same basket! Not to thrust any!

Even in the chosen 12 apostles one went awry! Appling the same reasoning we might just as well pack up all church’s teaching then!

The unearthing of other skeletons from the cupboard just adds sensationalism to the reporting! Is this to rekindle the ambers by the extremist lobby group in voicing for a complete ban on hunting? Hey you guys the same article mentions the penalties awarded to those caught. Just hope these new culprit are caught and meted a fitting punishment!

Mariella Axisa

Sep 29th 2009, 16:26

And still the killing goes on... What a shame. Are these people above the law?

F Spiteri

Sep 29th 2009, 16:17

And then we are supposed to feel sorry for them when they are 'hospitalized due to depression" !! What a farce.....

S. Camilleri

Sep 29th 2009, 15:56

I m sure it was not the hunters who did this... Bilfors it was the CABS and BIRDLIFE so as to iwahhluha fuq il FKNK. Bekoze the hunters...they xut to eat and they do not kill eagles or protekted birds. Ekk qalu hi tal-FKNK hi ............... Now tell that to the Marines!!!!!!

NO HUNTING IN SPRING because these people cannot be trusted with quotas or abiding by simple rules. They barely deserve hunting in Autumn. If hunters want to do themselves a favour... they definitely know these individuals so TURN THEM IN and prove your worth. It will be the best thing you can do to your cause.

Anthony Formosa

Sep 29th 2009, 15:35

Those who are generalizing have a hidden agenda. According to the raptor camp the culprit was filmed, and handed over to the police for investigation. So what's all this fuss about? What amazes me is the hatred spitted out to all of us about a bird which is listed as least concern and not rare at all.

Yesterday it was reported that a person was caught importing 83 capsules of heroin destined to our society and children and to my surprise only two humoristic comments were made, http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090928/local/swallowed-83-heroin-capsules are we more criminals than drug traffickers? Or the Maltese are satisfied with drugs to get shot in the countryside and leave the syringes behind?

I'm not justifying this act, the more we clean our hunting community from poachers the better, if you all noticed, it happened at around 4:45 pm when the majority of the hunters had their gun at home, and poachers are free to roam.

So please stop generalizing, as if all of you never broke the law one way or another. Otherwise we can say that we're all drug addicts.

Well done Raptor Camp, don't forget to report it to the BBC.

Jason Borg

Sep 29th 2009, 15:28

And the FKNK has the cheek to cast doubt on the Mizieb cemetery findings!!!!!!

S Sammut

Sep 29th 2009, 15:24

Is this what FKNK call zero tollerance? Now they are calling us all Maltese "worse wildlife crime in europe".
Minister what are you waiting for? Just close season now!

joseph zammit

Sep 29th 2009, 15:21

How sad. How shameful it is for our country to do nothing about this barbarian massacre. I almost cried reading this event. A Lesser Spotted Eagle, flying over Hagar Qim, our national Holy temple--the oldest in the world--- an eagle and Holy temple of holy stones--what a beautiful spiritually uplifting event. But these people who have commited this crime are spiritually barren and very spiritually dead.

Why not organize a national protest--but above all this, we need the goverment to act. The goverment is only interested in votes and more votes--how pathetic!

Charles Gauci

Sep 29th 2009, 15:20

@ a, tabone
Totally in agreement. I have always define Maltese so-called hunters as exterminators - nothing more and nothing less.

Jason Borg

Sep 29th 2009, 15:20

Well done Raptor Camp. We need you here all year round. I assume these footages are being sent to Brussels as well.

Anthony Borg

Sep 29th 2009, 15:16

@julian caruana
I agree with you 100%

Francesca Abela

Sep 29th 2009, 15:13

Shame on the uncivilised hunter who did this. You do not have any right to kill birds that are there for civilised people's pleasure. No way. Do not dare say again that hunting is a 'sport' - a sport is when there are two parties competing in the same manner, under rules and regulations. No doubt the pro-hunters will start commenting best is to just ignore them.

Anthony Borg

Sep 29th 2009, 15:11

@C Mallia
For your information hunting is not permitted after 3pm and this accident happened at 4.45pm So HUNTING WAS BANNED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT..I will keep it for myself what i think of you.

Joseph Pace

Sep 29th 2009, 15:11

Ban Hunting NOW!

I will stop here as my anger is to its peek!!!!

Criss Camilleri

Sep 29th 2009, 14:56

This, or these person/s are surely not depressed!! Depressed, 'imma min tilef xi wild bhalna, taqbdu diprexxin, mela min naqsulu, jew tnehewlu xi regoli tal kacca!'

A Grima

Sep 29th 2009, 14:56

What a shame! I am disgusted

C Mallia

Sep 29th 2009, 14:22

@All hunters
Call me an extremist, call me an abolitionist, name call me whatever you want, but when I see these incidents happening on such a regular basis, the disgust that I experience is limitless. I'd rather be labelled like that then see these majestic birds being killed in this manner.

BAN HUNTING NOW.

gidfrey pisani

Sep 29th 2009, 14:17

grow up guys .....everything for collective punishment were it suits you ,,, here are mention 3 cases in a span of 3 years and all people involved got arrested , so i say well done to the police and to those that reported these criminals . thats the end of it , but no we have to every day fill space with old news and some new news about hunting , why , because we have a right and you want to use any excuse under the sun to take it from us .
the problem is that as i have said many times here and else were , EU recognize that all legal european hunters have a right and we maltese are part of it now , so please respect it .
illegal hunting has nothing to do with us , they get what they deserve , fined , take away there license , confiscate fire arms , i have no pity for these criminals ,like any other criminals .

Paul A Vella

Sep 29th 2009, 14:16

I think we should all applaud and acknowledge the FKNK association for the authority and discipline it exercises amongst it's members....they are really a disgrace to the country and to 'sport' as they call it!! The government should simply take the bull by the horns and outlaw all sort of hunting and trapping...and to hell with trying to please everyone for the sake of a few votes!! Should these 'people' (for want of a better word), decide to abstain from voting or even going as far as voting against the party in government...then so be it!! Let's stop these few undisciplined characters from tarnishing our reputation and image across the globe!
And if they claim to be suffering from depression, exile them to Filfla...that should help clear the cobwebs in their minds.

d. spiteri

Sep 29th 2009, 14:16

what a shame!! One question: what do poachers expect from us? that we understand and second their massacres?? NEVER..maybe they should try another hobby and if its shooting they like I suggest they go on a shooting range and refrain from killing anything that flies!!

s schembri

Sep 29th 2009, 14:14

Hope that the authorities would not even dream of opening the spring season again. Poachers number 17,000 in this country. What about the rest of the Maltese population? Why cannot we enjoy the open country side?

julian caruana

Sep 29th 2009, 14:13

Shame on who ever killed such a beautifull bird. I hope justice is served and the ones FOUND guilty get what they deserve. Actually I hope they make an example out of him /them for letting all hunters and Malta down...

paul fava

Sep 29th 2009, 14:12

Calm down and make sense please. The FKNK is not the law. It cannot stop these barbarians from breaking the law. The FKNK of which i am a proud member can only appeal to its members not to break the law. It has already suspended 20 or so of her members after substantiated reports that they broke the law. It cannot do anything more. The FKNK even agreed with the Birdlife's call for the creation of a new squad to fight illegal hunting. Beleive me we are against illegal hunting and who breaks the law will find no protection from us. If the police with all the country's resources cannot stop these atrocities how can one expect the FKNK to do so!!!!!

A Meli

Sep 29th 2009, 14:11

Same story every migration period. We have had enough of this. Government and opposition please wake up. What are you waiting for? How many more birds have to die before you take a stand? I hope the EU is informed of all these incidents so that it will think twice before granting a derogation, if it will in the first place.

Andy Towler

Sep 29th 2009, 14:07

And again these monsters with guns make a mockery of Maltese law. Surely the only remaining reasonable thing to do is enact a nationwide total firearms ban with immediate effect and 25-year sentences for violations?

R. C Conti

Sep 29th 2009, 13:59

Will FKNK take the right measures against these people?? Last Sunday evening there were shots heard from Buskett and Dingli when shooting should have stopped by 1pm.

John Falzon

Sep 29th 2009, 13:59

One solution to all this.. confiscate all firearms of whatever nature, except non-operative showcase ones.
Hunting needs to stop once and for all. the people are fed up of such incidents repeating themselves.
It seems we have firearms in the hands of arrogant, selfish and probably uneducated individuals, which is a recipe for disaster sooner or later.

a.tabone

Sep 29th 2009, 13:59

Trust the Maltese hunter?...Never, they are just a bunch of wanton bird killers nothing more nothing less.....FNKN, No Banal excuses please.......

P. Camilleri

Sep 29th 2009, 13:51

The story goes on and on repeating itself.... These people want to be trusted, and want to keep on hunting only on a specific number of birds?!?!?! Are they really expecting us to believe them?? They shoot at anything that flies. Hunting should be completely banned.