Birdwatchers draw up tally of hunting offences

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Oct 7th 2009, 20:05

Mr/Ms D Vella, are you an authorised official for CABS? Or is it just your opinion? All I was after is some facts, Sir/Madam. If on the other hand you are their official spokeman, perhaps you might answer my long-outstanding questions, i.e.

1. Are CABS officials 'clean' while roaming the countryside?
2. Do they love CATS and other animals, or is it just birds that they care about?

Alternatively, you should stick to comment in your personal capacity and not try to reply on their behalf. As you are aware, my question was addressed directly to them!

DVella

Oct 7th 2009, 17:10

@ Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

CABS stands for committee against bird slaughter . . . the Egret in question was the victim of an unfortunate accident not the victim of a bunch of barbaric and cruel fanatics with 'rambo-like' aspirations, intent on slaughtering everything in sight ! !

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Oct 6th 2009, 20:36

Mr Greenfinch, BLM are saying they won the ECJ case when everyone is saying that the hunters won, so what exactly are you talking about?

Today I have another question for CABS. Most probably it will be left unanswered like my previous questions. Sirs, does the 486 also include an egret handed to you from St Paul's Bay? This egret got wounded when hitting an electrical pole. How come this particular wounded bird did not make it to the headlines of The Times?

Chris Finch

Oct 6th 2009, 18:34

MMB,

So the hunters won't give up without a dirty fight?

J. Borg

Oct 6th 2009, 18:33

For a change you are right, MMB, it is not correct to state that "protected species are shot at all over the island, and the government looks the other way," …….

Cause even the so called “law-abiding” hunters and FKNK have been turning a blind eye, and worst still denying that such vile acts occur.

They say that they do this because they are afraid that their comrades pay them back by some arson attack or worse……let’s hope it’s not a question of being outnumbered!

T Mifsud

Oct 6th 2009, 17:18

I never saw millions, neither thousands, not even hundreds and I don't ever recall seeing tens of protected species happily flying over Malta. Actually when I see the odd one flying I feel sick with anxiety that it may be breathing its last breaths for it is surely in under aim from several locations in its path. I know it is flying over very dangerous ground.

Of course, one of the odd ones flying was caught on video and published on the Times, who happened to have a reporter as witness. It was a magnificent sight ... until the shots came and down it went! Gone.

That is the kind of territory we are living in! Is this what we call MALTA?

DVella

Oct 6th 2009, 13:51

@ Joe Camilleri

You seem to have forgotten to mention the other 61 that were injured, 26 of them critically . . . Oh, and it might not occur to you but these atrocities were recorded over a mere THREE WEEKS ! ! !

Do the maths mate!!!

L Caruana

Oct 6th 2009, 11:55

Great work CABS. At last this problem is being exposed to the public. These massacres must stop once and for all. I don't know what the hunters are waiting for to put a stop to illegal hunting. Shooting on protected species, racing pigeons, hundreds of dead birds found in their own hunting reserve, illegal trapping, illegal callers... I think they just shot right through their own head. What does the government need to see to take action.

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Oct 6th 2009, 10:59

"protected species are shot at all over the island, and the government looks the other way,"

Who else would come up with such a vile comment, but those who want hunting abolished.

Government has banned hunting on September afternoons to deter any possible abuse yet these "blood thirsty" anti hunters do not seem satisfied. " they come under fire the next morning."

What now. is Government to ban hunting in the mornings to accommodate such cheek?

486 offenses, mostly unconfirmed, in a month does not signify any alarming figure considering the 16,000 hunters.

These anti hunters claim this is the tip of the iceberg. Indeed what iceberg, could it be the one floating in their drink when holidaying in Malta?

As stated by the CABS coordinator the same person instigating a total hunting ban "Don't forget that our immediate priority must be the birds in OUR breeding grounds which will have to run the gauntlet of fire in the Autumn. Keep the pressure up RELENTLESSLY. The hunters and their lackeys won't give up without a (dirty) fight - that's for sure!

How much longer is government tolerating such extremists in our midst.

Joe Camilleri

Oct 6th 2009, 10:47

Although I condemm POACHING, the killing of 23 protected birds in relation to the millions of birds that CABS and Birdlife say that migrate over Malta, shows how few illegalities are occuring in Malta.