'Bird guards' find 41 illegal Quail lures as season opens
The German-based Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) said today that so-called electronic Quail lures could be heard throughout the night last night, even though only 23 hunters had been issued with a licence for the spring hunting of Turtle Dove and Common Quail, which opens today.
CABS said that its teams had located and mapped Quail lures at Ghar Lapsi, Gnejna Bay, Ta´ Baldu, Ix-Xaghra I-Hamra, Hal-Qdieri, Salinas as well as the areas around Zurrieq, Qrendi, Siggiewi, Dingli, Bahrija, Naxxar, Birzebbuga, Ghaxaq, Madliena and the Red Tower. It estimated that there were some 100 suh lures.
According to CABS, these bird callers are permanently installed devices with which hunters and trappers play the display calls of the Common Quail [pick-wer-wick] in order to attract the live birds.
Since Common Quail migrate only at night, the devices are fitted with a timer programmed to be active between midnight and dawn.
The operation of artificial decoys for hunting is banned under the EU bird protection guidelines, as well as by Maltese law.
CABS spokesman Axel Hirschfeld said: "In the early hours of Friday morning, as our teams heard the first caller in Gnejna Bay at about 3.30 am, we immediately informed the police. Two motorised patrols from Mosta arrived within 20 minutes".
Unfortunately, CABS said, the officers refused to seize the devices in the dark. The senior officer present justified this on the ground that one of his officers might "fall into a well" or indeed "be shot". "
The Committee today requested the assistance of the A.L.E. in removing the illegal electronic lures during night operations.
On Thursday morning CABS activists observed a bird trapper operating two clap netson the coast near Bahrija. He had set out a dozen live decoys for trapping of Ortolan Buntings. As the police, alerted by the CABS team, approached the site, the man gathered in the cages with the decoy buntings and hid them in a hut secured by a heavy steel door. This initially prevented the officers from seizing them. Whether or not the officers were able to confiscate the birds later was not yet known.
Ortolan Buntings are gravely endangered throughout the EU and are considered to be a ‘species of conservation concern'.
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john borg
Apr 24th 2010, 19:00
tOrtolan Buntings are gravely endangered throughout the EU and are considered to be a ‘species of conservation concern'.
how funny.....these are in french president sarkozy menu when european vip guests visit him!!!!!!!!
Stefan Engelbert
Apr 24th 2010, 18:37
@J. Borg: Fall into a well??? Are these .....
Well. Just today we have been at Armier and just 5 meters away from the shore at one of the empty coffee shops there was an open well (filled with water). Just a question of time that someone falls into it!
Paul A. Camilleri
Apr 24th 2010, 18:06
@ Farrugia A
The ECJ ruling could have allowed an open season in spring - it did not. These are your words. Where were you these past days? just landed from Mars a few hours ago? It has been said and accepted by our dear Government and people that understand ENGLISH, and not forgetting the Commissioner of the EU, that the ECJ verdict was in favour of Spring Hunting. Please ask for a copy or download it direct.
With regards the bird callers activated during the night, (this is for those who want proof) CABS together with Police Officers trespassed on PRIVATE PROPERTY. !!!!!!!!!!!
To all those that voted " IVA " Thanks for giving our country to the guys that could"nt break us in the 2nd world war. God knows how the Knights of Malta are turning in their graves, knowing that their death and suffering was for nothing. EFA and GONZALUS presented our country to the whole block of the EU, on a SILVER PLATTER !!!!!!!!! The funny thing about all this is ,that not one bullet was used.
PROSIT U GRAZZI TA SEW
Farrugia A
Apr 24th 2010, 18:42
Not exactly Mars, but close - Earth.
A full spring hunting season was not accepted by the ECJ - no matter how much you whine.
And to further drive the result home, see : http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100422/local/three-week-hunting-season-unacceptable-commission
P Agius
Apr 24th 2010, 18:54
Pawl
Having illegal callers is still illegal whther it is in private and in Public property. We that votes YES for the EU, we voted specifically to curb this abuse from the hunters and yes, we will get help of anyone to save these birds form your shotguns. Your end is near
J. Borg
Apr 24th 2010, 17:32
Fall into a well???
Are these the bulwark of the police that Dr.Gonzi, John Rizzo and (on paper) FKNK expect to deter and/or prosecute abuses?!
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Apr 24th 2010, 16:34
Darren J Galea, you may accept to "obey the strict German babysitter" BUT I WILL DEFINITELY NOT!!
Axel Hirschfeld, I once again ask you for an assurance that YOU AND YOUR PERSONNEL ARE "CLEAN" WHILE ROAMING THE COUNTRYSIDE!!!
Maybe, after getting your answer, some of those commenting below will reason otherwise!!
Mathew Mallia
Apr 24th 2010, 15:44
What i think is totally wrong is the way the TOM use such a heading as ILLEAGAL QUAIL LURES when they are not illegal.
They are not illegal,anyone can buy one and use it on public/private land even in the countryside....but NOT for hunting or trapping
ftheuma
Apr 24th 2010, 15:22
'Fall into a well' don't the police have torches?
Jurgen Bugeja
Apr 24th 2010, 14:42
Kemm hawn nies ma jifmhux u jparlaw,x'ghandhom x'jaqsmu l-multi ta' l-EU ma dawn il-cassettes li sabu? tghid l-EU mhux ha twahhalna multa ghaxu sabu dawn il-cassettes!! Ara ma x'hiex tridu taqbdu ta!! By the way isibu kem isibu ghalxejn ghax xorta ha jibqghu dawn il-bird callers.Mela jista' jidhol Malta,jista jbieghu tal-hanut u ma tistax tuzah,ara x'kummidja.L-Bird Caller tieghi MADE IN GERMANY,imma temminhom dawn l-affarijiet mbad l-Germanizi jiehduwom lin-nies!
salvu abela
Apr 24th 2010, 13:46
Ortolan Buntings are gravely endangered throughout the EU and are considered to be a ‘species of conservation concern'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y4MS7mSzX8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ngqcr2WwKo
J Oatmon
Apr 24th 2010, 13:41
I for one do not understand what exactly is legal in Malta, and what is not legal, regarding bird shooting and trapping - does anyone really know the truth, it seems to be a mess?
Is what is illegal in the countryside published anywhere, are there published guidlines for the public/walkers/picnickers - if so where?
Is it legal to attempt to prohibit public/walkers/picnickers from walking on private land, by persons who are not the owners of that land (assuming the public/walkers/picnickers do not damage crops etc) or not?
So my question for the government is 'where are the rules?'
Jason Attard
Apr 24th 2010, 13:16
Bird guards, ALE, District Policeman, BIrdlife Volunteers, CABS Team and hunting still goes on. Dr Gonzi falliment kbir il motto tieghek, m hemmx li jasal il mument ha twarrab min hemm ax lil kulhadd dejjaqt.
k. francica
Apr 24th 2010, 13:12
Electronic bird callers are not illegal, their use during hunting activity is. So, if some one wanted to use them just to attract birds without shooting /trapping them, they would not be doing anything illegal. Did the "bird guards" verify what was the intended use ?
Also, contrary to what CABS stated, common quail do not ONLY migrate at night.
charles galea
Apr 24th 2010, 13:05
The CABS stated that the Ortolan Buntings are gravely endangered species and are really concerned because they observed a trapper with live decoys ( I assume live ortolan buntings) and with clap nets.Right he was breaking the law, but can anyone of the CABS and co please tell us whether they have ever been to Italy to check on Italian trappers, because the same endangered ORTOLAN BUNTINGS are sold as a delicacy in many outlets.
M.SAID
Apr 24th 2010, 13:01
@JFENECH
NO ONE has the right to trespass either than the police so yes CABS should be prosecuted the same as the owners of the lures.
X ragunament bazwi!!!!
Martin Pisani
Apr 24th 2010, 12:52
Could the authorities please clarify the legalities on bird callers as I was informed that one can buy them legally,use them legally both indoors and outdoors as long as they are NOT used for trapping or hunting. Now therefore if I was informed correctly one can leave an electronic caller on 24hrs a day to attract birds,either to watch with binoculars,take photos of or even to use dogs to flush the birds as a training method. All gun dogs need training.
Now I would like to know the actual law as it stands.
Also, why can you use electronic callers in the UK for hunting (legally) but now we are being told they are illegal in EU countries? just log on to any good hunting magazine and you can see them for yourself. A very good magazine is Sporting Gun,check out the classified section.
M.Pisani
jimmy vella
Apr 24th 2010, 12:51
It`s not just CABS we need but a proper police force that is not scared from these thugs.The police are becoming nothing more than a laughing stock,fall in a well, don`t they have torches.
Please primeminister bring in some police over from Europe as ours are totally incompetent
Jason Borg
Apr 24th 2010, 12:48
Dawn l-electronic bird lures qazzu lil kulhadd. Meta sejjer il-gvern jiehu azzjoni konkreta kontrihom. Anke riklami f'certa gazzetta dehru taghhom. L-iskuza kienet li hawn min juzahom biex isebbah l-ambjent. Trid tkun ma nafx xiex biex taghmel is-sighat jew il-granet tisma` l-istess tisfira tal-pluviriera jew it-tfaqqiegh tas-summien. Fejnhom il-par idejn sodi, Sur Gonzi?
D.Fenech
Apr 24th 2010, 12:44
Perfect timing as usual. Do you sincerely beleive we should believe you on this one and many other invented stories ? Do the members of the german based CABS know that these so called lures are made form german based companies ? Do CABS know that these devises can be legally purchased locally, even by CABS themselves ?!!!!!! They surely have the money with all the fundings they manage to get !!!!!!
G.Pisani
Apr 24th 2010, 12:31
Government, the answer is simple, give FKNK what they want under one condition. Make them sign a contract where they agree to be responsible for any fines imposed by the EU. Please invest MY tax money in education, roads,business and health but NOT HUNTING.
Anthony Formosa
Apr 24th 2010, 14:10
The fines are another excuse by the government. With your reasoning those who do not drive should not pay any if we are find for air quality. The ECJ was clear that autumn was not an alternative for spring, and the commission must also respect the ECJ verdict. Instead, why don't you ask your government were is really our tax is being invested? The best roads we've made were done under the Italian protocol and not from the road tax we pay.
E. Azzopardi
Apr 24th 2010, 12:15
Mr Formosa
You see. You stated it yourself. You are confused about your priorities. I have to say that I told you so already yesterday!!!
I am not confused about my country's priorities. But you will get there eventually.
Anthony Formosa
Apr 24th 2010, 13:54
hmmm so from what I can understand your priorities are huntiung and trapping, while drug traffickers, drunken drivers, and fights in front of our tourists are not priorities. Is this why you were against AFM road blocks? Instead of providing free syringes, why not run after the drug addicts, or this is one of the business priorities.
Please read, perhaps this also involved a hunter / farmer. Wake up and if you really love your children, fight for a good cause.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100424/local/man-28-critically-injured-after-paceville-fight
M.SAID
Apr 24th 2010, 11:43
Is it possible that all these 41 tape lures were on public land??????????????
I dont think so..............So indeed CABS are trespassing onto private property.
Are they above the law?????????
r curmi
Apr 24th 2010, 12:15
are the guys who put the traps in the 1st place above the law then? Cabs went in private property but the illegal hunters/trappers are of a much worst stock. So stop deflecting the real issue. If it wasnt for the illegal hunters we wouldnt be needing cabs
J Fenech
Apr 24th 2010, 12:19
Please note that a crime is always a crime whether on public or privately owned land / property!
The owner of the land is free to sue the trespassers if he likes but most likely he will be charged of having those illegal Quail Lures anyways.
Sean Fenech
Apr 24th 2010, 11:33
The funny thing is that most of these lures are made in Germany , Spain and Italy. All E.U. countries. On British sites for Hunters one can purchase these lures on-line and if I am not mistaken these are also legally imported and sold in Malta.
Adrian Cachia
Apr 24th 2010, 13:34
One can use a kitchen knife to cut a piece of meat and can also use it to kill someone......one can use a lure for bird watching and can also use it for hunting :)
Christian Sciberras
Apr 24th 2010, 14:59
That is no excuse. If someone kills another with a knife, that someone is accountable, not the company (/country/whatever) producing the knives.
Jesmond Micallef
Apr 24th 2010, 11:17
The presence of CABS in Malta may relate to events concerning the shooting of rare protected birds of prey under German observation, in Malta last year. Whilst maybe there is some sense in foreign organisations to perform such observations on Maltese territory, due the maybe the presence of local bias, I tend to think that Maltese organisations should do the same on foreign territory. There are other aspects of the human animal kind which should be documented, scientifically analysed, and precision timed etc. I am against the slaughter of animals, but Mobbing at work places is also psychologically harrowing to proud Maltese individuals living overseas surrounded by proud mono-linguistic locals with no foreign work experience whatsoever !!!
a sultana peregin
Apr 24th 2010, 11:11
@k. ABela
"They never imagined to be in this situation 10 years ago"
99% of the hunters/trappers would have voted NO in the referendum because they give more importance to thier HOBBY* than having a better future in the EU
*HOBBY - killing for FUN, polluting the soil and watertable with lead pellets
Anthony Formosa
Apr 24th 2010, 12:32
Mr Sultana, Besides the guarantees we had, hunting and trapping is practiced in the EU. Better future in the EU, yeah everyone can see that.
http://debatewise.org/debates/784-the-uk-should-leave-the-european-union
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/9238909/Would_Britain_vote_to_leave_the_EU/
http://www.scribd.com/doc/229783/Fifty-reasons-to-leave-the-EU
Nick Borg
Apr 24th 2010, 14:22
@A Farrugia
Yes - a better future for everyone as there might be a few birds left if somethng is done about it now.
There are law abiding responsible hunters, but unfortunately the vast majority blast off at anything and everything that moves - probably out of frustration more than anything, but that s no excuse.
Another point you may have missed is due to the small land area, the high concentration of lead pellets has a significant impact on the ground water, and that impacts me and my children, so yes, a better future in the EU with less lead in the ground and more birds in the sky Thank you...
A.Azzopardi
Apr 24th 2010, 16:07
Sur Formosa.
Everybody talks of guarantees - but this is simply playing with words. In my mind, if anyone has some sort of guarantee which is not honourd - surely you would go to court to safeguard that guarantee. Why has not the FKNK taken the government to court? It's not like they lack funds or lawyers to do so.
Doesn't it sound fishy to you that a case hasn't been filed?
The only court case that we can discuss is the ECJ's one - and we all know what the commission said about how that case should be respected and that even 3 weeks next year will spark off another ECJ case and we loose millions of Euros in fines.
Anthony Formosa
Apr 24th 2010, 17:49
Mr A.Azzopardi, FYI the case has been filed 3 years ago. Do you know how many people have been waiting for justice to be made, 5 10 15 years, of course unless if you're not some Ninu Zammit.
Darren J. Galea
Apr 24th 2010, 11:04
@K. Abela
Clearly we DO need these Germans to do the job, since Maltese enforcement has no teeth let us face facts. Hence the FKNK always whining about "foreigh interference". They want to go back to the good old days when they can do whatever they like. Hahaha sorry my friends but you showed us you could not be trusted - like naughty children now you must obey the strict German babysitter :)
Anthony Formosa
Apr 24th 2010, 10:52
I would like to know if anyone requires the owner’s permission before conducting such alleged searches in the fields. I have no illegal lures and I'm respecting the law, but I cannot accept that in the middle of the night people are running and perhaps damaging my property while I'm asleep. Who is going to be responsible for any damage incurred?
I hope that the police force will act the same against drug traffickers and drunken drivers during the night, because now I'm getting confused what really the priorities for our safety is on this island of once Malta.
Edward Camilleri
Apr 24th 2010, 10:48
The government must order stricter enforecement, so that the law is upheld. Issuing controls over spring hunting without enforcement is not going to work. I hope the EU notes this.
I for one was at least 2 times last year ordered to leave public land, with the hunter saying that this is private land.
David Cockcroft
Apr 24th 2010, 10:39
I've never come across this trapping method and find it very cruel. I hope the right powers can be given to confiscate such effective things.
http://sportales.com/soccer/keane-to-impress/
Joe Camilleri
Apr 24th 2010, 10:38
so the Committee Against Bird Slaughter guards had to trespass to collect these quail lures.
if the orto;an is really endangered then take a look at this link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ortolan_Bunting
K. Abela
Apr 24th 2010, 10:23
Poor hunters and trappers! They never imagined to be in this situation 10 years ago. I am against hunting and trapping but one has to admit that hunters and trappers were taken for a ride before EU accession. Do we really need these Germans around to do the job?
G.Pisani
Apr 24th 2010, 10:30
OHH poor hunters and trappers ohhh... and you say you are not one of them. yeah right.
P Agius
Apr 24th 2010, 11:10
Ignorance is no excuse. they should have known better. Documentation of the EU treaty and of the negotiations were there for everyone to read. What was the FKNK doing at that time? Did it verify the EU law. At least I can say that we bird lovers were not taken for a ride. We knew what the EU was all about and that with the EU cowboys need to cease to exist and that if they don't they put into jeopardy all the hunters and trappers .... Well done EU. We need more illegal activities from hunters so that we can abolish hunting for ever.
Farrugia A
Apr 24th 2010, 11:20
Stop making a political issue out of this. What was promised then was given to them. It is only when the commission started to tighten the belt on these issues that things changed. The ECJ ruling could have allowed an open season in spring - it did not. What has what was promised then got to do with the ruling?
So according to your daft, politically motivated puke, if the commission makes new rules whereby it bans cars over 1300 cc as from next year, then its Dr. Fenech Adami or Dr. Gonzi who would again have taken all those people who own such cars for a ride?
Thankfully the majority of the electorate have a brain larger than a pea and that is what makes this nation successful over time - not neanderthal reasoning - those expire by time.
John Ebejer
Apr 24th 2010, 11:35
I take it you are still one of those blindfolded and staunch Labourites of yesteryear, not wanting Malta to become a member of the EU.
Would you ever consider the fact that the problem arises not so much with Brussels but with the fact that hunting and trapping, in Malta, means breaking the international law by CITES which prohibits the killing of endangered species. But of course, ... asking you to ponder on such matters would be too much to ask. Oh, well.
Carmen V Gauci
Apr 24th 2010, 11:42
Yes we do. Would you risk your neck to protect our environment and nature in general ?? These CABS do their job and do it well. Wonder of wonders when they are around, they manage to detect hunters, trappers, mist nests etc. These things happen all your round its only when CABS are around that things gets moving, achieving so much. KEEP IT UP CABS.
john micallef
Apr 24th 2010, 10:22
It seems that the amount of volunteers participating in Teams, is far bigger than the numer of ALE police to have find so much electronic devices in a night;
THIS IS A SHAME!!! WE FIND THE MONEY FOR EVERYTHING, EXCEPT WERE NEEDED; BUT IT SEEMS THAT IS NO PROBLEM FOR THE GOVERNMENT, AS HE NEEDS VOTES AND SECONDLY PENALTIES ARE PAID FROM OUR TAXES!!
Adrian Cachia
Apr 24th 2010, 10:37
There is one simple method........the penalties imposed by EU should be passed over to FKNK.