BirdLife demands action to stop rabbit hunters shooting birds
BirdLife Malta has called on the government to amend the regulations on the rabbit-hunting season to grant protection to potential breeding bird species on the Maltese Islands.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and MEPA, BirdLife Malta said the use of shotguns for rabbit hunting should only be allowed to commence in August. During the months of June and July, when the rabbit hunting is usually ongoing, the use of traditional methods should instead be recommended.
"Since the breeding season for many rare bird species in Malta peaks in June and July, hunting for rabbits within these two months should only be allowed using dogs and ferrets. The use of shotguns to hunt rabbits should start in August, to reduce the possibility that poachers would target rare breeding birds."
It said that its recommendation was based on an admission by the FKNK last February in a proposal the Federation submitted to the Ornis Committee entitled ‘Attaining a Higher Level of Sustainable Hunting on the Maltese Islands'. The FKNK had suggested that the hunting season for wild rabbits should commence on 1st July - one month later than usual. The FKNK stated: "This measure could help to prevent the odd turtle-dove and quail that may have stayed on from being shot by some irresponsible wild rabbit hunter".
Dr Andre Raine, BirdLife Malta's Conservation Manager, said: "Controls must be in place to prevent the rabbit hunting season from being used to shoot at potential breeding birds. Keeping in mind that the season for rabbit hunting lasts until the end of the year, the postponement of its commencement by a month over what the FKNK suggested is a small measure that can yield significant results."
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C. Farrugia
Jan 1st 2011, 22:12
I personally think that the best way to tackle this problem is by having some kind of police squads that are in charge of making sure that hunting is done within the legal regulations. After all i personally think that maltese police are not willing to do such a task if they're not assigned to it.
Land owners here have a point though. Rabbits do damage crops. I think poisons and the such will do more damage to the ecosystem of the island due to pesticides accumulating further up the food chain. I think that it is also very cruel to let a rabbit population suddenly starve to death due to lack of food. A bag limit should be set stating the number of rabbits that could be hunted and therefore helping to keep the population healthy and under control.
I personally also think that we have to be reasonable. A hunter shouldn't kill every rabbit / bird spotted. Hunters should also educate themselves to be more conservation minded and inform themselves how ecosystems really work and how they are affecting it which is also important for the sustainability of their hobby.
John Matthews
May 8th 2010, 14:51
Just had a thought. How about Birdlife Malta opening up a subsidiary branch and calling it Rabbitlife Malta.
John Matthews
May 7th 2010, 20:33
ASK THE AUSTRALIAN FARMERS WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT RABBITS.
K. Grixti
May 8th 2010, 13:48
the maltese wild rabbit population doesn't even stand to any near to the australian wild rabbit. better farming fences could cure the problem and just shooting the wild rabbits would be an unrecoverable act not only for the wild rabbits but also for their natural predators.
This is the same story as was done with the dingoes, coyotes, tasmanian wolf (which got extinct for the same reason). hunting always destructed the equilibrium found in nature. just like elephants, tigers, rhinos, primates, dolphins, whales etc etc are trying to recover from their cruel past (and some even present times)
Johnny Xerri
May 8th 2010, 17:12
Rabbits enter field to graze. If fields are fenced of how will rabbits graze? And if they do not graze what will happen to them?
So in reality you are not against them dieing, but the against the fact that a hunter kills them to eat them (yes of course the hunter will enjoy this process, and yes of course he will not strave if he does not hunt. Neither will a fisherman starve, but nobody bats an eyelid if he enjoys 'killing' fish for food).
K. Grixti
May 8th 2010, 20:24
well they could easily find an abbandoned field or eat the road side wild plants. the farmer's only priority is to have good crops no?. also im against hunting since it demolishes the biodiversity in the environment. just like whales and dolphins and sharks and tigers and primates and hundreds of other species face extinction... the maltese wild rabbit could easily become extinct. The same reason why most birds are illegal to hunt and the tuna is becoming more and more protected... im not saying that it is wrong to kill animals to eat them but killing animals just for the sake of hunting as a hobby or to keep the starving animal off your field is bad
Johnny Xerri
May 10th 2010, 23:26
@ K Grixti 'the maltese wild rabbit could easily become extinct'
Yep right, after hundreds of years that rabbit hunting has been practiced, after years of these rabbits dieing from natural deseases (gdiem tal fniek), they are still triving. Even if no new stock comes from abroad (since rabbits do not migrate because we are an island).
From where did you get your opinion that rabbits may become extinct?
BLM uni?
As for the rabbits eating from abandoned fields!! Really I thought (from what BLM state) that there is no one field that is not occupied by hunters. BLM even claims that not only we occupy our land, but we occupy even the public land. So how come now there are enough abandoned fields for rabbits to strive and not starve?
As for eating from roadside...lol...the Pope needs to visit the island more often so that the bunnies can eat from the newly planted flowers
qoute 'tuna is becoming more and more protected' yep just as it was protected in the last EU parliamentary vote, in which even Malta voted against the tuna trade ban.
Hunting does not equal killing for fun, but killing for fun whilst enjoying the experience
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
May 7th 2010, 20:31
P Loud and Ed. Loveridge, your lowerly language and insults towards my co-citizens indeed show your arrogance, bad manners and lack of education! You have no right to insult the Maltese! Shame on you! One thing I remind you: your country needed our "bunch of idiots" to fight your war! What, type of bunch are you to have needed our "idiots" help?! My education and manners will not allow me to stoop so low as you did!! Otherwise, I would have given you a perfect explanation!! A pity you tarnish the reputation of other English gentlemen/ladies who know the meaning of respect and manners!!!! My apologies to them, amongst whom a Mr John Matthews and a Ms Lynne Green.
A. Debono snr.
May 7th 2010, 21:47
I am not so sure Messsrs.Zarb, i am Maltese by birth and i've lived in the UK for the past 48 years, my wife is actually English, although i do have dual nationality i must admit some of my country folk tend to speak their mind without thinking and i know by experience a minority are not very diplomatic when ti comes to other nationalities, one example since i live in the west country we have the severn bridge between England and Wales, there again as far as some are concerned Wales to the the English is also foreign however i don't think i like to eleborate on this, but i must admit Mr.Loveridge and the other bloke should know better then upsetting the Maltese, i also know from past experience that the Maltese tend to reciprocate & fight back and one should never argue with a Maltese female that i know, so please my dear give them what for, cause i am also proud to have been born in Malta and i still love my county dearly.
Johnny Xerri
May 7th 2010, 20:12
& then BLM say that they are not after a total ban. @ Kenneth Grixti, By your statement you have just authorised hunting You said: i find killing of any animal irrespective of its species a selfish stupid act unless the animal is used as food or as a self defense against it. Well you might not be aware but when restuarants serve 'fenkata' the main ingridient is rabbits not doughnuts. The rabbits used in commercial 'fenkati' are farm reared. I prefer a fresh organic one. Is there anything wrong with this? Rabbits also cause havoc to saplings, fruit trees, vines, melons, watermelons...so yes it is self-defence (for proctection of crops). Nobody objects to pesticides to kill bugs that damage crops, so nobody should object to dispatching of rabbits that damage crops (and are not just killed but eaten) And seriously you believe that I am going to wake up at 4 am to go and wait for the rabbit to return to its barrow or flush it by dog in the summers heat at noon and not retrieve it and not cook it? no life is superior to another. hunting should be illegal since its cruelty not a hobby
K. Grixti
May 8th 2010, 14:04
@ J. Xerri: yepp but in fenkata only domisticated rabbits are eaten. Theres a difference. domisticated rabbits:
1. Differ in their DNA from wild rabbits
2. Are only reared for human consumption only (no other organism is particularly involved)
3. Is safer to eat as the rabbits are controlled what to eat
4. Does not particularly change the biodiversity in the environment
The use of pesticides also is not wanted by any naturalist. since the pesticides side effects are long termed and also effect other organism's way of life even the human body. As i said there are better ways to get rid of rabbits from eating your crops like proper fencing. (that is just one idea which popped in my mind... other people could have even better ideas). Also some people dont shoot the rabbit or bird and eat it... they just let it rot, or throw it in a skip or just stuff it in with cotton to decorate their room as it is just their hobby :/
Johnny Xerri
May 8th 2010, 17:01
A fence lol!!! Just to give you a glimpse of the assumption you are proposing. A fence would mean that rabbits cannot enter the farmers land to graze, thus it would die out of starvation.
1. Differ in their DNA from wild rabbits.
Does the DNA difference imply that they should not be killed?
2. Are only reared for human consumption only (no other organism is particularly involved)
Cannot even make out what this phrase means.
3. Is safer to eat as the rabbits are controlled what to eat
Yep right some are given stail bread mixed with milk so they fatten quicker, some are given rotten fruit and veg that are not sold by shops, artificial protein food + 1001 jabs.
4. Does not particularly change the biodiversity in the environment
What change has rabbit hunting ever had. Rabbit hunting has been practiced for ages and yet although they don't migrate (because we are an island), that is they are resident and depend on their ability to withstand local presures such as over building, polluted water sources, pesticides, and yes hunting...they are still triving. I practically kill 40 a year from my land.
Johnny Xerri
May 8th 2010, 17:08
As for your claim that we leave rabbits and birds to rot or throw them in skips, I can assure you that the only rabbits that are not retrieved is when the are sick (gdiem tal fniek).
Even if stuffed 'with cotten' as you claim the flesh is still consumed. I happen to have over 20 stuffed rabbits of different size, and colour (those caught from Malta are mainly grey, those from gozo are mainly tan, but different shades exist), which I still collect the flesh from the texidermist and still cooked it.
However, if you are still not convinced you are free to collect the remains of the hunted rabbit in a poo bag and take them to a labority to test for the DNA of wild rabbits after I have had a nice wild rabbit fenkata.
K.Grixti
May 17th 2010, 13:52
By: Are only reared for human consumption only (no other organism is particularly involved)... what i meant was that human reared rabbits do not interfere with the wild rabbits predator's consumption as well. like if more wild rabbits thrive in the wild, the population of falcons, owls, birds of prey, ferrets/otters (ballotri) etc etc will increase as well. however, if the wild rabbit had to disappear, im afraid that all these animals will either have to change their diet (which is quite difficult), migrate (in which terrestrial animals just cant), eat other species (hence disturbing more the food web) or die... and become extinct.
Yes there is a difference in the DNA, it is only the DNA which makes you different than a bird, rabbit, cockroach or virus. as for eating reared rabbits, they are to be checked by scientists for the presence of microbes in their meat. Im sure you wont do that after killing a wild rabbit. Whale hunting has been there for a century too. Nowadays the blue whale has decreased by 99% in its population due to hunting. But it is now (when its too late) that we try to conserve them
J.decelis
May 7th 2010, 19:35
i agree 100% with Steven Brockwell ..they brought hunters with spring hunting to a critic state stating that "turtle doves are in breeding season" and this is not with ifs or buts now that BLM have reached their target to close the spring hunting season (because its unfair with the rules that were stated) now they are bringing excuses with birds in the rabbit season and if they reach their goal in the rabbit hunting season then they will have got nothing left either than to invent other excuses to close the winter season(its already half closed cause they said that that from 16 Sep to a specified date now not remembering it that from 3.00pm onwards should be closed cause of birds of prey)
mark farrugia
May 7th 2010, 19:08
This vermin damages my vines year in year out especially in June when my vines start to produce fruit. The only solution is to hunt them down. An other vermin that destroy our crops is the house sparrow but it is unlawful to hunt them. The goverment should allow this bird to be shot all year round.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
May 7th 2010, 18:54
Mark Galea, "Giving orders to a PM reminds me of the hunters." Really??!! It reminds me of CABS actually! I refer you to The Times of 1st May 2010 when it was reported: "CABS, he (Axel Hirschfeld) said, DEMANDED the Maltese government to change the minimum penalties imposed by law." These are facts!!! So what exactly bothers you?! If a FOREIGNER deems it fit to dictate of the MALTESE Government, what exactly bothers about the MALTESE CITIZENS EXPECTATION from Dr L Gonzi?!! Charles Gauci, when Mr Lino Farrugia contested the MEP elections, the Prime Minister of the time was giving a WRITTEN Guarantee to hunters guaranteeing the continuance of Spring Hunting. Certain individuals swallowed the bait!!
Trevor Diacono
May 7th 2010, 17:15
Beware of the flying rabbits :S
Steven Brockwell
May 7th 2010, 15:23
its me again. however this time i am going technical. according to bird life its OK to shoot a rabbit but not a bird ? so what does give bird life the right to say what is good and what is not. so in simple terms bird life are saying that is ok to kill rabbits but not birds.what does make them the judge of this are they playing god now. this is total discrimination to the full limits its like saying i can live but its ok to shoot my brother. come on bird life most of your claims are false anyway. what hunter takes a cam corder to video him self pouching ????? frame up is what i see.
J. Borg
May 7th 2010, 21:14
you are wrong.
my understanding is that birdlife strives to effectively protect what are supposedly protected birds, and seeks to ensure that all birds have the opportunity to reproduce - thus the call for banning spring hunting.
now if you read BLM statement properly they are explaining that some supposedly rabbit hunters still shoot at birds (i.e. those that would have remained on the islands)
and since we all know what free for all attitude a good chunk of the hunters have - knowing that the chances of being caught by the ALE or reported by the other supposedly law abiding hunters are zilch!
Steven Brockwell
May 7th 2010, 15:12
where in the world to you hear so many complaints about hunting shooting rabbits so on. YES ONLY IN MALTA ,COM. if anyone is destroying malt as image it is bird life. are they going to pay for damage they have done to our tourist industry. Malta is small is it that hard to apprehend just a hand full of pouches ? come on this happens all around the world. do your jobs catch the people and bring them to justice. but stop black listing Malta.. oh i forgot you have so many videos and tapes of so called pouches but yet you have have caght no one. wow. get a life bird life. and go to the gulf of mexico where thousands of birds are dieing from the oil slick. if you want to help go der
john borg
May 7th 2010, 14:54
il birdlife fejn jaqblilhom jikkwotaw ......ghax ma jergawx iffakkruna fil ftehim li il birdlife internationl ghamlet mal face, ftit qabel il verdett tal ECJ, fejn qablu li kull parti kellha taccetta darba ghal dejjem dan il veredtt !!!! il verdett kien car... malta ghandu jkollha kacca fir rebbiegha.........mhux hekk issa se jaqbdu wkoll mal fenek, milli jidher kull skuza tghodd biex jippruvaw jghakksu il kaccaturi....
Anthony Formosa
May 7th 2010, 14:10
Rabbits are pests, and pests can be hunted all year round as in the UK. A rabbit hunting licence is issued to those who only own land. I guess soon BLM will ask hunters/farmers not to go to their field not to disturb the thousands of nests. If FKNK proposed that rabbit hunting will commence on July 1st, then it's wrong. The season is already short, when considering that some other European countries the season ends in March/April and some it's all year round without bag limit. The number of birds caught in one week in Europe a Maltese hunter needs a year.
Edward Camilleri
May 7th 2010, 18:58
Who are you to say that rabbits are pests? Isn't it enough that many consume rabbits, do we have to treat as pests also? I tell you one thing, if there is a pest in this world, then it is only one animal species, and it doesn't have 4 legs or wings! Well done birdlife for your good work.
W. Stewart
May 7th 2010, 21:32
I'm not quite sure Rabbits are pests in the UK, lets face it sunshine your lot make a damn good feast out of rabbit stew in your country and i believe its your national dish yeah? might be wrong ofcourse but having said this i think personally that the real pest in the UK are the illegals claiming benefits from taxes that we pay, this includes such extra taxes ie., council tax something that will be introduced in Malta in time to come no doubt and many other hidden taxes that you guys haven't even started to dream about.. so there you go.
Johnny Xerri
May 8th 2010, 15:58
Who am I to say that rabbits are pests? Simple
Well apart from hunting I also farm my land.
If a bug attacks my fruit,crops or tress its a pest.
If a worm attacks the roots of my trees its a pest.
If a rabbit attacks my fruit, crops or trees then guess what, its a pest.
What you cannot digest is that you are so anti hunting that had the rabbit been poisoned just the same as bugs are poisoned, most probably you would not have batted an eyelid. In fact most probably I am totally free to use pesticides that could kill a rabbit (never really had to research pesticide use because I control rabbits with a shotgun!!!)
However, once the pesticide is substituted with a gun all hell plays havoc with the antis reasoning.
Andrew Gatt
May 7th 2010, 14:04
Joseph Mangion and Birdlife It's NEVER enough for you lot. You ALWAYS want more, and more, and more - demanding this and that, never satisfied.
"Rare breeding birds"! Yeah, sure! A few pairs in your duckponds at Ghadira and Simar, and a few other pairs here and there. That's it. After 3 consecutive closed Spring seasons, and after all your bluff and propaganda about main migratory highways and millions of birds, WHERE ARE THE NESTS? Just in your fevered imagination.
This, your latest stunt, just shows how totally extremist you have become. Eff off and leave us alone.
A.Portelli
May 7th 2010, 13:59
Again. BLM attacks another hobby because shotguns are involved. I say that BLM are overdoing it as usual. Maybe next move will be to try and stop shooting ranges from operating. Please BLM, enough with this hatred!!
Anthony Barbara
May 7th 2010, 13:59
Birdlife is in no position to demand anything more. It has caused more than enough damage to the Maltese people through its foreign agents. First it wanted to eradicate hunting in Malta and now it wants to aggravate its war against the people by wanting to curb even rabbit hunting. This is not on. Birdlife is now seeing for itself where these foreigners are leading it ... into an abyss. Unless it removes its foreign spies from our country and starts being practical in all terms, the people will hold Birdlife responsible for anything which may happen..
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
May 7th 2010, 13:48
Once the FKNK suggested that the hunting season for wild rabbits should commence on 1st July - why does Birdlife not agree to such a proposal and not as always, DEMAND more.
Apart from rabbit hunting licenses being issued to land owners or tenants with restrictions to hunt on their land ONLY., these licenses are issued as an effective form of pest control.
Should rabbit hunters abuse the law and shoot at anything other then rabbits, their irresponsible actions will be penalized in accordnace to the law.
Birdlife can do nothing but DEMAND, it seems dialogue is as remote as their ever being credible.
According to Andre Raine "the postponement of its commencement by a month over what the FKNK suggested is a small measure". SO ACCORDING TO RAINE 2 MONTHS OUT OF A 7 MONTH SEASON (1JUNE TO 31DECEMBER) IS A SMALL MEASURE.
STOP DEMANDING AND MAYBE SOMETIME YOU MIGHT ACHIEVE SOMETHING. SO FAR YOU ONLY PROVE YOUR ARROGANCE.
With all their demands, it would not be at all surprising if pretty soon BIRDLIFE will DEMAND that hunters hunt with their pants down!!!!
Etienne Camilleri
May 7th 2010, 13:33
lol shouldn't birdlife protect birds only?! or now rabbits can fly?! hahahah
A.Attard
May 7th 2010, 17:44
rabbits can't fly but they're animals & hunters simply love killing them.
Antonio Anastasi
May 7th 2010, 13:29
@ Fabian Borg. Bird Life was complaining that people hunting rabbits were shooting at Birds, and NOT complaining because they were shooting at rabbits.
." The FKNK had suggested that the hunting season for wild rabbits should commence on 1st July - one month later than usual. The FKNK stated: "This measure could help to prevent the odd turtle-dove and quail that may have stayed on from being shot by some irresponsible wild rabbit hunter".
@Bird Life. Maybe its about time you took a page from the CABS team book and post a reward for information leading to the prosecution of hunters breaking the law.
Joe Camilleri
May 7th 2010, 13:17
" The FKNK had suggested that the hunting season for wild rabbits should commence on 1st July - one month later than usual. " ...... Yes only if there was a spring hunting season.
BLM, when you quote, do not just quote were it suites you.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
May 7th 2010, 13:00
BLM do you, by any chance, consider yourself as governing Malta???!!!! What is next??!! You have always stated that you are not after abolishing hunting. Well, your actions speak otherwise! Also, your friend David Conlin has declared: "We will not relent in our activity until Malta is a bird hunting-free zone"! Well, SirS, should you wish to govern Malta, I suggest you field candidates for the next General Elections - Maltese Nationals obviously!! I cannot promise you any success! Seeing the support AD and Edward Demicoli have succeeded to obtain, does not augur well!!!
Dr L Gonzi, you are allowing BLM and Co to take the upper hand!!! Maltese citizens expect you to:-
1. Take action against all those trying to unjustly tarnish Malta's image;
2. Make sure that it is our Police Force who enforce the law;
3. To use your "par idejn sodi" in governing Malta in the interest of ALL MALTESE!!
Mark Galea
May 7th 2010, 14:09
@Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Dear Ms Zarb Darmanin, while I agree that BLM may be overdoing it a bit,
"do you, by any chance, consider yourself as governing Malta???!!!! What is next??!!"
Giving orders to a PM reminds me of the hunters. They used to say 17,000 vot u nibdlu l-gvern meta rridu. U b'din l-attitudni spiccaw fejn spiccaw.
Charles Gauci
May 7th 2010, 17:49
Seeing the support Lino Farrugia had got when he contested the MEP elections augers well then?
a sultana peregin
May 7th 2010, 12:34
"Neanderthal genes 'survive in us' "
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8660940.stm
M.Brincat
May 7th 2010, 12:33
Warajja Birzebbuga jisparaw ikunu filghodu. U l-Pulizija l-ghassa jomghodu l-pastizzi.
P.Loud
May 7th 2010, 12:32
Rabbit hunters shooting birds!, some of the local hunters on the islands are so damn that they can't even tell the difference between a bird of a feather and a hopping bunny (best known as Bright Eyes). or just simply a bunch of idiots who are making Malta's image even worse - Perry UK
Ed. Loveridge
May 7th 2010, 19:19
Spot on Loudy my son, you are absolutly correct. in Malta if there are no buggsies about, they shoot anything that flies, good job Airmalta diverts now and then otherwise they blooming well take pot shots at it too.
Fabian Borg
May 7th 2010, 12:31
YOU WANT MY SHOTGUN TOO ????
I am eager for June to start so I can start using my gun on rabbits in my land. What do Birdlife think they are, GOD ?
Keep protecting birds and leave pests for the farmers to control.
With present farming improvements especially increased amount of vineyards one cannot allow Rabbits to feast of developing vines.
Furthermore it is impossible to catch a rabbit in the midst of a vineyard with a dog as the dog cannot possibly outrun the rabbit in that maze.
With the increasing number of rabbits I was surprised why they were not declared as a vermin species and with EU law they could be shot 365 days a year like they are in the UK for example.
Kenneth Grixti
May 7th 2010, 15:44
pft and who are you then, "GOD"? aren't rabbits also animals which should deserve to live? why should you kill an innocent creature who is just finding something to eat :S. there are several ways how to get rabbits out of your yard... including building a proper wall.. also in 18 years I only saw one wild rabbit in my entire life.
in other countries some animals were thought to be pests however they aided to keep the environment in equilibrium and keep he food chain in place. Whenever man stepped in the path of nature there was nearly always a disaster. i find killing of any animal irrespective of its species a selfish stupid act unless the animal is used as food or as a self defense against it. no life is superior to another. hunting should be illegal since its cruelty not a hobby
Gary Bonnici
May 7th 2010, 19:37
Mr. Grixti, rabbit hunters not only shoot a rabbit and leave it there, but use it to make a delicious dish. Like every hunter after all. I never shot a dove, quail or a rabbit and left it there but I always cooked it.
K. Grixti
May 8th 2010, 13:40
@ Mr. Bonnici. Im not speaking that killing animals for food is a bad thing since we all need that to live. But killing rabbits just as a sport or just because they are regarded as pests (in which they aren't actually since their population is quite low in Malta) is the wrong act. By killing wild rabbits also you are also depleting other species populations which prey on the wild rabbit, like for example, the otters, owl, falcons, and other birds of prey. Thats why rearing animals for food is a better way. Also eating wild animals is unsecure for human health since no one knows from were the animals ate their food. Like for example if the animals ate polluted plants, they probably have high amounts of heavy metals etc etc which is not quite good for your own health