Claudia Calleja
BirdLife receiving more shot protected birds each year
A racing pigeon was gunned down near the Foresta 2000 site. Photo: BirdLife Malta
The New Year had barely started and two protected birds had already been shot, BirdLife Malta said, urging the government to take the issue of illegal hunting more seriously.
"Since it took charge of hunting and bird protection-related issues after the election in 2008, the Office of the Prime Minister has systematically downplayed the true scale of illegal hunting," BirdLife Malta's conservation manager André Raine said.
"We invite the Prime Minster to join our surveillance teams in the countryside during peak migration to witness the situation. Maybe then he will realise why Malta has such a bad reputation for bird conservation throughout Europe."
In a curt reaction, a spokesman for the OPM said: "The government is committed against illegal hunting".
Over the past days, BirdLife was informed that two protected birds had been shot: a racing pigeon and a juvenile yellow-legged gull.
The pigeon was found at the Foresta 2000 site while the gull was collected from the shore in front of the Radisson Hotel at St Julians. Both had been shot in the wing.
An analysis of the protected birds received showed the number referred to BirdLife had increased over the past three years. The number stood at 81 in 2007, rising to 91 in 2008 and 95 last year.
"We have been highlighting this issue for many years and have continuously revealed irrefutable evidence of widespread and commonplace illegal hunting," Dr Raine said.
He added that, while illegal hunting was not a problem restricted to Malta, no other BirdLife partner received such a high number of shot protected birds on a regular basis.
Last year, the Natural History Museum received 374 birds confiscated by the police or the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, he pointed out.
The figure for 2009 did not include the 200 protected birds discovered in a bird cemetery unearthed in Miżieb in September. The birds were found "on public land claimed as a hunting reserve by the hunters' association", BirdLife said.
"The remains of these birds were handed over to the authorities to confirm the cause of death. To date, nobody has been charged over the crime and no further information has been forthcoming from the authorities," Dr Raine said.
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john Matthews
Jan 6th 2010, 22:24
C'mon Mrs J Borg. It's your duty to name names if you know anything about illegal activities. OR are you afraid of being sued if you make slanderous or libelous accusations. My previous entry says it all.
r sammut
Jan 6th 2010, 21:49
Always wonder, while all this claim of increase of illegal shooting and no poacher is ever apprehender! This is just a ploy to tarnish all and sundry; taking last year’s figure (the worst) of 95 poaching incidents in a 12000 hunters’ community! The exaggeration tactics as used by Dr Raine and BirdLife intensifies as either of the spring or autumn season dawns, and due to the ECJ ruling this year …
I sincerely hope that the Prime Minister would take up Dr Raine’s word to go bird watching, to confirm the gibberish!
Johnny Xerri
Jan 6th 2010, 20:12
@JBorg
Ms Borg seems very keen to highlight events which have not been proven.
On the other hand she is silent re the conservation efforts done by hunters in planting and taking care of trees, rebuilding of rumble walls, regeneration of habitats such as ponds and the other endless work. All of which is there for all to see.
Hunters even offered their help in the planting of trees in Natura 2000 (a nature reserve) but birdlife refused their cooperation efforts.
As usual J Borg blabs without proof, and omits proven things.
I wonder why??
stefan micallef
Jan 6th 2010, 19:56
j borg how can you say that they were hunters if you no something say it or it means you are bluffing and i dont know why hunters should trow oil on the floor near your billboards and cut a little peace on the edge.i think who cutted them still wanted to show the main picture on the anti hunting/trapping billboard
David Borg Cardona
Jan 6th 2010, 18:21
@ Mrs. J.Borg
As far as I know nobody was yet apprehended for all the cases you mentioned.. although in your typical biased blinkered fashion you point fingers at the hunters. Before blurting out certain accusations should you not make sure of the facts. You seem to be quick on the draw (scuse the pun) Mrs. Borg.. If you know something which the authorities do not, then I suggest you pop over to the police GHQ and let the cat out of the bag !!!! I'm sure you'll be there first thing tomorrow morning.. Oh yes.. and while you are there do complain that the countryside you cherish so much is beseiged by gun toting murderers ready to blast at you any moment !!!
J. Borg
Jan 6th 2010, 18:03
sure.....
and BirdLife was also the culprit in the arson attacks on the Nature Reserves, Foresta 2000, Dingli chapel, Bordes de Bombes, Mnajdra Temples....and Ray Vella's person & property
and hunters keep on turning a blind eye...
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Jan 6th 2010, 16:13
Can Birdlife Malta please tell us what becomes of all the dead birds they discover or receive?
Should they have any problem disposing of them, I've heard that Mizieb happens to be the ideal location for a decent burial!!! It is after all, Birdlife who refer to it as a "bird cemetery"
On second thoughts, like anything else emanating from Birdlife, cremation is the best option. This would ensure that any macabre finds are not blamed on hunters
As for Dr. Raine's invitation to Dr. Gonzi, I too invite Dr. Gonzi to accompany me on my hunting days to actually see for himself how ridiculous Birdlfie's claims of Malta being the worst offender truly are. He might then realize that the bad reputation given to our beloved country stems from untruths, manipulation of fact, deceit and downright conspiracy.
C.Formosa
Jan 6th 2010, 15:33
While hunting at Ahrax Mellieha not too far from the red tower,I have on numerous occasions witnessed many racing pigeons colliding with the high tension power cables overhead.
This is particularly common with south and southwest winds when these birds fly low into the wind usally when released for training from Cirkewwa or Gozo.I have seen up to 6 birds falling from a single flock with injuries ranging from decapitation to wing injuries similar to the one shown.
I used to race pigeons myself and would have no qualms reporting anyone shooting them, but have never needed to.
Andrew Gatt
Jan 6th 2010, 15:05
Dr Raine again mouths off about the bad reputation Malta has, thanks to Birdlife's incessant exaggeration and mudslinging. They rope in the RSPB (Uk), CABS (Germany) LIPU (Italy) and every other demented extremist or bleeding heart anti-hunting club to spead their hatred. Let's see what Birdlife's buddies have to say about THEIR OWN countries:
RSPB: In 2008, we received 1,206 reports of shooting, poisoning, trapping and disturbance of birds and of the theft of birds and their eggs. These figures included 210 reports of shooting and destruction of birds of prey. While slightly down from the all-time high of 1,228 reports in 2007, it remains the second highest ever recorded. And worse, we believe many incidents have gone undetected and unreported.
LAC: Italian partner organisation LAC took place on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia from 5 to 13 December 2009. The 13 participants searched for and dismantled 11,310 horsehair snares illegally set out in the mountains north of Cagliari, used to trap countless thrushes Robins and other song birds........located and dismantled more than 2,500 bird traps and 167 mist nets. Information led to the arrest of 42 poachers.
CABS: well, there's a whole book here! http://www.komitee.de/en/index.php?report2009
MARIO SALNITRO
Jan 6th 2010, 14:38
A PIGEON GUNNED DOWN ARE YOU SURE?/
CAN YOU BE 100%??
WHAT WOUNDS SHOTGUN ?? AIR- RIFLE?? CATAPULT??
WHO ARE THESE BALISTIC EXPERTS ??
COME ON TRY A NEW ONE WE ALL KNOW THESE STORIES CROP UP JUST BEFORE THE SPRING HUNYING SEASON.
OH BY THE WAY HAPPY HUNTING TO ALL SINCE NOW FOR SURE THE MALTESE GOVERNMENT CAN LEGALLY OPEN THE SPRING HUNTING SEASON FOR QUAIL AND TURTLE DOVES. CIAO E
A LA FACCIA DI CHI CI VUOLE MALE.
John Matthews
Jan 6th 2010, 14:37
Throw the book at persons PROVED to be hunting/poaching illegally
LIKEWISE
Throw the book at BLM if their written statements are PROVED to be untrue (Libel).
LIKEWISE
Throw the book at BLM members who have been PROVED to utter false statements (Slander).
This way, in my opinion, will, or should, assist the government to put this topic in the correct perspective
David Borg Cardona
Jan 6th 2010, 13:26
@ Dr. A. Raine..
A few simple questions Dr. Raine..
Will you ever take responsibility for your actions ??
Will you ever have a clear conscience that in the few years you have been in Malta you have greatly helped to give Malta the worst reputation ever ??
Will you ever admit that with all the over inflated figures, the media manipulation and the hype you create around each poaching incident you and your organisation are continually losing credibility ???
As for having an answer.. Hmmmmm I doubt we'll ever get one from you !!!!
stefan micallef
Jan 6th 2010, 12:48
blm does the good weather makes you remember that spring is comeing soon? i think so. great malta is the worst offender ehh really? we found a racing pigeon and in other counrties red kites and Common Buzzards. intresting.
Johnny Xerri
Jan 6th 2010, 11:46
According to Dr Raine ' while illegal hunting was not a problem restricted to Malta, no other BirdLife partner received such a high number of shot protected birds on a regular basis'.
According to their partners CABS
Italy:
Bow traps collected: 2,159
Snap traps collected: 371
Other traps collected: 56
Snares collected: 11,310
Nets collected: 173
Poachers caught: 42
Germany:
Unlike other EU states, there is a widespread lack of hunting controls in Germany. The maxim here is self-control. In many hunting preserves shooting of raptors, poisoning of ‘predators’ and other offences against hunting and nature protection legislation, is therefore the order of the day.
Between 01. and 03.04.2008 CABS’ members and employees of the Düren district biological station, east of the town of Vettweiss-Disternich in the state of North-Rhine Westphalia, discovered no less than 43 dead birds of prey within a 48 hour period
Persons unknown carried out a massacre of birds in a gull colony on the roof of the University library in the north German port of Kiel. Some 20 flightless gull chicks were found with their skulls crushed by a blunt instrument.
But as usual Malta is the worst offender.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Jan 6th 2010, 11:26
Considering Malta, thanks to Birdlife's claims, has earned the reputation of being the worst offended were wildlife crime is concerned, can Birdlife please explain how they arrive at such conclusions?
"The number stood at 81 in 2007, rising to 91 in 2008 and 95 last year."
CABS, that aided BLM in the "bird cemetery" find, state "Between 01. and 03.04.2008 CABS’ members of the Düren district biological station, in the North-Rhine, discovered no less than 43 dead birds of prey within a 48 hour period. These included 31 Common Buzzards, 2 Red Kites, 2 Goshawks, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Gray Heron and skeletons of 5 more raptors."
Their other partners the RSPB report "A 30-strong flock of swans has been found dead, apparently shot, three days after they arrived on a lake in Bedfordshire"
These are indeed the "tip of the iceberg" were foreign wildlfie crime is concerend, yet Birdlife's A.Raine claims, no other other BirdLife partner received such a high number of shot protected birds on a regular basis."
Who can ever believe what Birdlife state. Their harm to Malta's reputation makes the few illegal incidents in Malta a pittance.