BirdLife reports ambush, volunteers pelted with bricks

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Apr 24th 2010, 15:23

J Scerri, I repeat once again: KEEP ON DREAMING!!! Hunting is here to stay. It is a pastime enjoyed the world over. Far from being banned, the Maltese Hunters will also get a decent Spring Hunting Season, all this within the parameters of the law! Do you ACTUALLY consider your reply regarding hunters' political leanings as being in any way scientific??!! Keep on dreaming on this as well - eventually it will turn into a nightmare!!! You persist in unjustly tarnishing the reputation of the many law-abiding hunters! How can you ever expect to be taken seriously. May I assure you that besides not succeeding to become a Prime Minister, likewise you are not succeeding in impressing anyone, except, maybe, a few blinkered individuals!! You might feel more comfortable in the company of Edward Demicoli and AD. At least you can console each other!

NICE DREAMS, J SCERRI!!!

Ruby Jenner

Apr 24th 2010, 15:09

Thankyou for your information Martin. I try to find out about a subject before I comment. I am against hunting no matter which country it is unless the bird or animal is going to be eaten and is not endangered.

Maria Grima

Apr 24th 2010, 12:20

The referendum was already held in 2003 ,despite that spring hunting and trapping were CLEARLY promised the referendum passed.In general elections there was the green party which had a clear status against hunting and trapping ,and everyone knows their results.Lately there were also the MEP elections were 5 of the six MEP s elected, clearly stated that they are in favour of sustainble hunting and trapping,while the the other candidates who declared ,anti -hunting as their prime agenda,failed miserably.So no excuses !!Should we also hold a referendum on fireworks ,horses in the streets,fishing.....

Berys Said

Apr 24th 2010, 10:44

@ Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
James Mistruzzi has made an excellent suggestion and your rude response was totally uncalled for.
1) Why would you believe that allowing the nation to vote on a given subject would be undemocratic?
2) Just because someone has a name you may not have come across before, why would you assume it is not real?

Jurgen Bugeja

Apr 24th 2010, 07:51

@J Scerri
X tohlom!! hunting will be for ever,alot of countries practice hunting and some even Spring Hunting,but Mr.Scerri I don't know what he think he is and is saying hunting will be banned for ever ha ha tajba din!!
@Mr Mastruzzi
Din tar referendum ha tibqaw sejrin bija,isma by the way i hate fishing and fireworks,what you think we do a referndum? hallina!!

Chris Farrugia

Apr 24th 2010, 07:15

Try and wear a PN shirt and carry a PN flag to a Labour mass meeting (or vice versa) and see what happens! If you go inside the wolf's den you are asking for it. If BLM volunteers are willing to chase hunters in the countryside or on their own land in a legit way, they should be accompanied by the police force.

Allegations from one side and from the other, both probably exaggerating, both playing victim and throwing mud at each other (and stones and buck shot) Let's hope it will never get out of hand to cause grevious uinjuries.

Martin Pisani

Apr 24th 2010, 00:57

Ruby Jenner,i hope that it is not too late and this blog wont be shown but all u have to do is look on the www at shooting in the UK. As i have a UK gun license i can assure you that it is legal to shoot in spring,in fact 365 days of the yr,not in just certain place but all over the UK,birds which are protected in malta and also in the birds directive can be shot even whilst on their nest in the UK.I am not saying i agree with this but it can be done if one wanted too. Certain parts of the UK have different laws also,for instance, sparrows can be shot legally in certain places but not others,the dates also change from one part of the country to another for certain birds.
I hope I have answered your question. Any more feel free to ask

M.Pisani

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Apr 23rd 2010, 19:52

R Gatt, I assure you that I NEVER left the online blog and will never do before the Maltese hunters get what is rightfully theirs! Please stop lying. I assure you that I am NOT A HUNTER. However I have ALWAYS stated that in the my family I have both HUNTERS and BLM MEMBERS. Having heard both sides of the coin, I strongly feel that I should side with those who know the meaning of love, tolerance and respect! James Mistruzzi (if that is actually your name) a referendum has already been held during EU Accession and the continuance of Spring Hunting was approved by ther "Yes" vote. Should your banal suggestion for referenda against minorities be ever adopted, we have to wave goodbye to democracy. Just imagine having a referendum re:- - continuance of fireworks; - continuance of football; - continuance of horse-racing; - continuance of bird-watching; etc., etc. We could also hold a referendum whether to remain in the EU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Again I ask: Can somebody indicate the dent for "A construction brick was hurled at the front passenger window, narrowly missing and hitting the car instead."?????!!!!!!!!!!

J. Scerri

Apr 23rd 2010, 19:50

@ Sylvana Zarb Darmanin To be clear, I don't have much time to waste by replying to your 'FANTASIOUS' previsions made like a modern Nostradamus. But there are a couple of things you wrote I would like to answer them the same. Point 1, you asked me to show SCIENTIFICALLY how I know that nearly all hunters vote to the MLP/PL? After which electoral results there were hunters celebrating in their UNIFORMS? I think it was 1996. You remember that ? Point 2 : You haven't replied to any of my questions. You just wrote down Words like 'Dreaming on'. To see the HUNTING COMPLETELY BANNED is not a dream anymore. It will take just a couple of years or less. I hope that more EU Inspectors will come here to analize the situation & after seeing the MASTERPIECES these hunters are doing lately, when passing their reports to whom takes the decisions, they'll stop this BARBARIC hobby ONCE & FOR ALL. Now as you can see, maybe as a Prime Minister I won't succeed, but it's more important for me to show others that what you wrote before has the same value of the leaves in winter !!

James Mistruzzi

Apr 23rd 2010, 17:26

@Sylvana Zarb Darmanin Sylvana, It would be very helpful if you and anyone else who supports hunting would start answering one of the most important questions being put forth. "If a properly conducted and fair referendum / survey was done of the people of Malta and the results were found that the majority wanted to ban hunting, would you finally agree to stop this hobby / passtime or would you continue to go against the wishes of the majority of the Maltese people?" We await your response.

ftheuma

Apr 23rd 2010, 15:01

Where is our brave army that is usually so eager to set up road blocks and protect us from the great danger of some teenager going to Gozo with a joint in his car? When are we actually going to hear that people are being charged, by our equally brave police, and duly sentenced for this unacceptable criminal behaviour.

D.Caruana

Apr 23rd 2010, 11:07

Why are alot of people attacking FKNK?
Please remember that FKNK had offered to pay for a police officer to be with every group of birdlife volunteers.
Birdlife, of course were quick to refuse!!
I wonder why!!!!

joe gatt

Apr 23rd 2010, 10:50

On two particular days this week, in the South of the Island especially the early hours, one could not fail to hear hundreds of shotgun blast. I am a ex shotgun licence holder and I can tell you, that on two separate occasions I have been walking on main roads (not carrying a gun) and hit by pellets, once in the back of the neck and at a different occasion, in the face, at an angle, luckily my toughened glasses saved my right eye, with lead streak across the glass lens.

Christian Sciberras

Apr 23rd 2010, 10:41

If body guards is what is needed, get them on the job.
While at it, I'd very much welcome a TV crew as well.

Finally a Maltese TV program I might enjoy...

RGatt

Apr 23rd 2010, 10:38

The police arrived 20 mins later. Says it all.
@ Brian Attard - our birds are not second class either and nature belongs to everybody to enjoy and not in a trophy cabinet. The persons who did this are nothing but louts.
@Corey Attard -you have to be kidding right. Are you honestly suggesting that nobody should be in the countryside whether it's Birdlife watchers or any bird watcher.Get a life and go shoot on clay pigoen. Let what's my as well be.
I see the hunter's advocate (Sylvana Zarb Darmanin) is out at full force again. The one who insists she's not a hunter and none of her family are. Who makes a stand for the helpless flying creatures Sylvana?. How you can defend the barbaric killing of these tired defenceless birds beats me. You're very right on one thing though. Birds of a feather.
@ Andrew Gatt - Birdlife don't have to do anything as the hunters and trappers demonise themselves enough. You know that only a few abide by the rules. They only have themselves to blame and the excuse that hunting is a sport or a heritage does not stand.

R Muscat

Apr 23rd 2010, 10:16

SHAME on these barbarians, this type of behaviour stems from a deep seated ignorance and arrogance which should be stamped out.
The majority of law abiding citizens expect the police to apprehend these criminals and the judiciary to set an example with harsh penalties.
When other like minded hamalli see this kind of behaviour going unpunished then they will expect to get away with, dangerous driving, intimidating other citizens with their offensive language, dumping rubbish all over the place, illegal construction practices, leaving their cars /trucks/vans dripping oil and diesel on to our roads to end up in our sea and drinking water etc etc.

EDWIN DE MARCO

Apr 23rd 2010, 09:58

PBS went as far as saying that one of them threw a KANTUN at them. Samson still around? I thought that he went to Delilah's Salon who de-tressed him. He is recovering at one of the many FREE old peoples' home in some remote place in Malta.

D.Caruana

Apr 23rd 2010, 09:23

I would like to ask a legitimate question and expect answers in the same maner please!
Is that the sort of damage a construction brick hurled to the front passenger window would do?

Anton Zammit

Apr 22nd 2010, 23:24

I believe that Bird Life have been overdoing it for some time now, and the biggest sore point of all is the involvement of foreign volunteers. They are I believe doing much damage to their own cause, by turning people, like the undersigned (who though against hunting in principle cannot stomach this systematic use of the media to blacken their opponents and Malta's image) against them. This coming from an individual who used to be a member of Bird Life and a current member of an environmental N.G.O.

Ruby Jenner

Apr 22nd 2010, 22:20

I have just googled Spring hunting in EU and guess what came up, yes only stories about Malta. I couldn't find any other EU country that allows spring hunting. I am sure if anyone finds something they will let me know. I did find hunting of game birds in the UK but not during the breeding season and only certain species.

Andrew Gatt

Apr 22nd 2010, 21:42

@ Chris Finch..........."As a law abiding hunter you should welcome them".

Birdlife have used and are using every dirty trick in the book to demonise hunters and hunting. They have agitated against Malta and instigated court proceedings in the EU. They have reneged on various agreements and understandings. Their foreign executives bring over more foreign busybodies from EU countries with far worse records, to provoke and antagonise. They tarnish Malta all over the world to further their ends. They are allied with abolitionist organizations who wish to eradicate my hobby in Spring AND Autumn, They misinform, exaggerate and lie. They harass and film Maltese citizens out practicing their hobby. They STILL refuse to accept that Spring Hunting in some form or other IS LEGAL as confirmed by none less that the EU and ECJ.

Are you out of your biased and bigoted mind? Yes, I am a law abiding hunter and NO I do not welcome them. Quite the opposite....I cannot stand them or their deceitful tactics. They are my enemy as much as illegal poachers are.

About time this spineless and gutless Government hauls them in, reads them the riot act, and gets them off our backs.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Apr 22nd 2010, 21:13

Primarily I condemn all ILLEGALITIES coming from whichever side!

J Scerri, keep on dreaming! Hunting is here to stay. By your own reasoning, how do you then expect law-abiding hunters to have their reputation unjustly tarnished?! I suggest you contest the next General Elections! No guarantee that you will become Prime Minister. Judging by Edward Demicoli's result, you will not even make it to parliament!! Finally, can you produce your "scientific" results that most hunters are PL? Time will tell!

Good one Jurgen Bugeja. That is exactly what they normally do!

Alex Ellul, how can BLM substantiate the number of shots heard? How can YOU substantiate that poachers "make up the greater part of the hunting fraternity"?!! Bird of a feather flock together!

Chris Finch, can you indicate the dent for "A construction brick was hurled at the front passenger window, narrowly missing and hitting the car instead."?????!!!!!!!!!! Come on, give us a sensible piece of writing for once!!!!

V Falzon

Apr 22nd 2010, 20:52

Michael Spiteri, Joe Muscat, John Matthews, D.Caruana and the rest of you guys desperately trying (and failing miserably) to cover up for the hunters ever-worsening reputation: do you for a moment realise you are siding with the criminals!

Well done eh! Way to go!

Richard Tabone

Apr 22nd 2010, 18:55

Hunting should be complety banned from our country

George Debono

Apr 22nd 2010, 18:49

D.Caruana

RE your reply to Rene " You can't be serious?......................this has nothing to do with birds of pray"

Yes Rene is serious and so am I - There used to be lots of birds around when I was young and now - nothing.

You lot have wiped them out and they will never come back.

Hunting is sick. These birds belong to everybody.

Anthony Mizzi

Apr 22nd 2010, 18:36

Another situation where Dr. Gonzi's administration has lost control and is unable to take the situation in hand and give protection to the man in the street, uphold the LAW , enforce the law from these terrorists of nature ?

And these louts have the gll to all themselves "Conservationists".....

Neville Cassar

Apr 22nd 2010, 17:45

Isnt it better that we warn people ( tourists ) about walking in the country side with a camera... this attacks are serious!

I like going round the countryside with my mates taking photos of nature and the surroundings..... so what now... I`ll get pelted with stones? What will my foreign friends say about this behaviour?

Its not the first time that abuse is hurled at the `countryside` admirer... so now its bricks?
Where are the police? God forbid someone gets hurt.

Next the international news, BBC, Daily Telegraph and the Sun will get hold of this story... and you`ll see how many tourists we`ll get on our shores.

Trespassing or not.... one should be kindly asked to leave and if not, the police should be called in. NO ONE has the right to take the law in his own hands.

Hunters or not.... the countryside is for everyone to enjoy... but being armed with a photocamera... doesnt worry me.... its the ones armed with guns.... which worry me.

joe muscat

Apr 22nd 2010, 17:36

@MSciberras
Just to let you know this bungalow which you are mentioning is not build against the law, if you check the site plan from the lands department this is visible as well, so please before you comment check your things well, and yes for most of this land rent is being paid to the government so it becomes private, again inform yourself before commenting.

Now i would like to ask one question. The car of birdlife had been moved after the "attack" ? because i know that area good and there are no rubble walls on that side where there is the dent on the car

Antoine Grima

Apr 22nd 2010, 17:34

If BLM accepted the offer made by FKNK , to have police escort , paid by the FKNK , then these incidents would not be happening , and if they did happen , the perpetrators would be caught and at least we will have proof that these things are really happening.I am sick and tired of hearing these kind of allegations without any proof . If this is true , may the calprits be caught and punished , but there is always a big BUT

Michael Spiteri

Apr 22nd 2010, 17:25

I don't know what these guys are on about. I have spent most of my free time roaming and hiking in the countryside of Malta and Gozo. I can boast that I never encountered aggressive or hostile people, be them farmers, hunters or trappers. I think there is an attitude problem somewhere in these stories. I am deeply saddened that the Maltese are being put in very bad light worldwide no thanks to these media reports.

joe muscat

Apr 22nd 2010, 17:20

@MSciberras
Your comment has nothing to do with this news, and yes I really believe this is another fabrication by Birdlife and even if i`m proven wrong why birdlife are trying to provoke , police has to investigate Birdlife as well because they are trying to cause trouble, they are not an authority to go to check for illegal hunting.

Chris Finch

Apr 22nd 2010, 17:18

To those that can't see it, the dent is there above the door handle, just under the window.

Did I read correctly? One person wrote "Birdlife watchers you have no business doing in country site" (sic). Actually, if its Public land, they have every right. Why wouldn't you want them in the countryside? After all they are reporting on illegal hunting. As a law abiding hunter you should welcome them.

One last question. This looks like it is probably another hire car. I hope its not from the same poor guy who rented out the one that got shot at the weekend.

Come on Hunters, before you act, please think. This poor guy doesn't need to lose business from having damaged cars in these tough economic times.

MSciberras

Apr 22nd 2010, 17:17

Phew John Matthews!!!! Do you even live on the island? Because if you do, go out on any day in the close season and you will see the law being broken. Go out on any day of the year and you will see evidence of the law being broken, such as public land marked as private by trappers and the nice little hunters' bungalow mentioned in a previous posting. This year, one could actually hear birdsong in Ghajn Tuffieha and see more than two or three spiecies of bird on the Dingli Cliffs. Long may it remain so.

paul fava

Apr 22nd 2010, 17:16

@ Antoine Vella. I have never saw any breach of the law. If you say I have kindly substantiate it. If you persist in saying so I may speak to my lawyers.

John Matthews

Apr 22nd 2010, 17:08

Are BLM and the antis really that naive or badly educated to think that the public both in Malta and the rest of the world believe all this tommyrot?

EDUCATED people, or at least those with some modicum of sense require some kind of proof and not hearsay as portrayed by BLM and its cronies.

I "heard" shots. That automatically makes it a hunter does it. Grow up

MSciberras

Apr 22nd 2010, 17:05

To all those posting who think this is yet another FABRICATION:

Just up this same road is an ILLEGAL BUNGALOW fenced in within its own enclosure shielded from the road by trees that started life as a trappers hide. Built by hunters and trappers. How can you even seriously dispute that your peers break the law flagrantly and with abandon is beyond me.

Alexander Pace Gouder.

Apr 22nd 2010, 16:58

As I said yesterday I am not a Hunter. I am not against or in favour of Hunting. Just on the margin. I repeat what I said yesterday. Birdlife is getting nowhere with these inspections. Only someone is going to get hurt.( from both sides) as it is now getting very very dangerous. Tempers are running High( RED HOT.) Hunters are frustrated because they say(and this might be right) that they have been taken for a ride by The Government. Whilst Birdlife want to save as many Protected Birds as possible. BUT AS THE SITUATION IS IT SEEMS THAT THIS SITUATION IS GOING TO END IN A BIG DISASTER> IF BIRDLIFE PERSONAL and the FOREIGN BIRDWATCHERS RETIRE THEN THE HUNTERS WILL HAVE NO SUCH PERSONS TO CALLANGE. If WHAT IS SAID BY Birdlife is true because there seems to be no dents or damage to the car in the Picture.

D.Caruana

Apr 22nd 2010, 16:52

"One of the female passengers, clearly visible behind the rear window, narrowly escaped injury after a stone missed the window only Att: Paul Debono - Please be better informed! Spring hunting IS possible in the EU!!!

Dragan Donkov

Apr 22nd 2010, 16:49

Why not use the Army to control and protect from illegal hunting ? Plenty of people there to cover the island. good training for them too. The Government must put some real effort in this situation and not play games with everyone just to keep some votes for the next elections. More control.
Hunting is not bad but must be done in a proper way and not in the spring

Mario Cauchi

Apr 22nd 2010, 16:49

Ambushed? My God! Are we having Mujahadin in the northern hemisphere of this island? come on give us a break will you. You make it sound as if we're living in Helmand Province Afghanistan. Were the cameras not rolling this time round? Were the insurgents not caught on tape?

D.Caruana

Apr 22nd 2010, 16:49

"One of the female passengers, clearly visible behind the rear window, narrowly escaped injury after a stone missed the window only inches away from her face. A construction brick was hurled at the front passenger window, narrowly missing and hitting the car instead"!!!!

WHAT??
Are you sure this is the correct car in the picture??
where is the damage caused by the construction brick??

Daniel Xriha

Apr 22nd 2010, 16:41

"two men wearing camouflage, hats, and handkerchiefs over their faces" seems to be a movie of Che Guevara!

Paul A. Camilleri

Apr 22nd 2010, 16:38

What next, call in the NATIONAL GUARD!!!!! Where is the big dent on the car?????

Another film directed by BirdLife

Jason Borg

Apr 22nd 2010, 16:27

the situation is getting worse by the day. A leading hunters organization itself claimed several times that some its members are suffering from mental stress. It seems some hunters are finding it very hard to control their aggressive behaviour. The understaffed police are finding it harder still to control this roaming rabble. And our dear government remains totally silent. Until when?

j.zammit

Apr 22nd 2010, 16:26

A tiresome affair... that can be avoided if FKNK were to have volunteers aiding BLM
It's starting to sound like the cartoon "Catch the pigeon"...

Corey Attard

Apr 22nd 2010, 16:10

Birdlife watchers you have no business doing in country site. Go do this in England,Spain or Finland where hunting still is part of there past time.

G.Pisani

Apr 22nd 2010, 16:10

Any more excuses? This was a public road! NO TRESPASSING , can't wait to hear their answer.

R Borg

Apr 22nd 2010, 16:01

Any lame excuses now?

Andy Towler

Apr 22nd 2010, 15:58

Do the perpetrators really think that they are endearing the public to the pro-hunting lobby through actions like this?

Charles Mifsud

Apr 22nd 2010, 15:53

20 minutes...how swift...I reported an illegal trespass...no car in the 2hrs I waited there...good job...we're getting fast. Aggresion and violence are always wrong, but yet Birdlife are instigating such violence...Police only has the right to follow illegalities...sure not a bunch of volunteers

Jurgen Bugeja

Apr 22nd 2010, 15:53

Mhux qed nara daqqiet ta'bricks fuq il-karozza jien! sa fejn naf jien is-soltu r-ritratt ikun mehud l-aktar fejn issir il-hsara.Dejjem jibku jahasra dawn!

J. Scerri

Apr 22nd 2010, 15:37

What are the authorithies waiting to enforce that area by sending extra police or Soldiers ? That someone get killed by one of these 'PRIDE OF THE NATION' citizens ?

Also if I was in the Government, I will BAN hunting 364/5 days a year whatever the EU decides now, because I see no reason why WE NORMAL citizens have to obey laws & Rules or otherwise, pay a high price for our mistakes & these people only because maybe they are armed can do whatever they like. After all nearly all hunters normally vote for the MLP/PL so it won't be a big loss for the PN. And if doing so at least in this issue, the Govt will show all the country that still has the GUTS to run this country.

Now I'm curious about what the usual Hunter Apologists are going to say now. Or better, who are going to blame this time !! Maybe the stones that hit the car (And I won't be amazed with such reply) !!

A. Vassallo

Apr 22nd 2010, 15:25

I will not go into the merits of the case of who is right or who is wrong since I really do not care. For all I know, both sides may be telling the truth and both sides mat be lying.

But this war between Hunters and Environmentalists must stop immediately.

D.Caruana

Apr 22nd 2010, 15:16

This is getting ridiculous!!!!!
BLM give us all a break, send your so called volunteers back home and lets find a reasonable solution for everyone. There clearly is aggression as well as confrontation going on here. Lets sort it out.
And to all that will now blah blah ban hunting etc etc.......that will never be the right solution!!

Rene Borg

Apr 22nd 2010, 15:09

I have asked my father who was a trapper and obviously sympathises with the hunters and trappers.......

Do you think that it is right that I am 41 years old and I had only seen a bird of prey once in the maltese countryside in my whole life?!!!

And as yet they are a frequent occurance when I visit other countries abroad and you can even see them flying peacefully in the city centre!

I would like to extend this question to the hunters and trappers...."If your son is not a bird enthusiast like me, do you think its right that he will never experience the beauty of a bird of prey flying peacefully in the countryside?"

C.Borg

Apr 22nd 2010, 15:08

The attackers should be brought to justice (if ever caught) and made to pay for all the damage they are doing to our environment, society and malta as a whole!

paul fava

Apr 22nd 2010, 15:05

It is the Government's duty to keep law and order. He is visibly failing to do so. We hunters too condemn these acts and one cannot just rush in to conclusions with out being later capable in substantiating them.

Joseph Apap

Apr 22nd 2010, 14:51

This is disgusting. Where do these hunters think they are? In Afghanistan or Iraq? We are Maltese. We don't act in this way. No matter what injustices we might suffer! I hope these thugs will be apprehended and made to suffer the punishment which they deserve by law. And I hope that the government will take decisive action against hunters, since their very own federation doesn't seem to have any control over them. Listen up GonziPN. Police force needs the resources and directives to take affirmative action!! I hope you can provide accordingly!!

Brian Attard

Apr 22nd 2010, 14:45

Birdlife this is all your fault. In Italy, In England in Greece, everywhere in the world, hunting is accepted. In Malta why not???? As long as people are in accordance with the laws, there is nothing to be ashamed of. Those who abuse should be arrested. Our hunters are not second class Eu citizens. We are citizens of Malta. So Birdlife stop this incitement.