Maltese poachers singled out in Egyptian survey
An Egyptian survey is singling out Maltese poachers for the destructive impact on wildlife in a protected area, BirdLife said.
It said in a statement that the illicit acquisition of firearms and the killing of protected species were linked with Maltese hunting trips to Egypt in a survey on the Gebel Elba National Park cites park rangers from the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA).
It referred to Maltese poachers targeting protected birds.
“Maltese poachers were seen and caught with two lappet-faced vultures and other birds at Bir Shalatin,” according to an EEAA ranger.
Gebel Elba is the most important area for flora and fauna in Egypt, and can also be classed as one of the least explored corners of the world. Forty species of birds are reported to breed in Gebel Elba but some of them have become very rare or even extinct since.
Access to the protected area is controlled, and the survey questions how Maltese poachers managed to hunt there illegally.
The survey states: “The Maltese killers were caught on Egyptian Territory at Bir Shalatin which is a restricted area but bribery was probably the method they used to get through the endless checkpoints… there is also the question of how the poachers get guns and ammunition into the area.”
Rangers at the Gebel Elba National Park in Egypt say that insufficient funding enabled poachers to bypass the law: “The Maltese and other poachers also get a thrill out of decimating the wildlife of Lake Nasser, if is moves kill it whether a pelican or crocodile, the latter at one time being hunted nearly to extinction.”
The data in the survey is supported by birds confiscated by the authorities and sent to the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH).
Among the hundreds of locally shot protected birds confiscated by the police and customs and passed over by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to the museum over the last 18 months were 193 birds protected by law that were confiscated from hunters who had been hunting in northern Africa.
The 193 birds are only a portion of protected species passed over to the museum in this period, as other birds from northern Africa confiscated by the police during the last 18 months were still part of on-going cases.
The northern African birds come from 35 species, of which 41 per cent are raptors. There are 18 different species of raptors in the collection, including eagles, vultures, falcons, kites and buzzards. While raptors seem to be the preferred target, other birds in the collection show Maltese poachers are also after colourful birds, such as bee-eaters and kingfishers.
The birds confiscated from Maltese poachers also included three chicks of the Pharaoh’s Eagle Owl. The chicks were too young to fly, so it was likely the poachers stole them from the nest and killed them for their collections.
BirdLife said that the confiscated birds received by the NMNH confirmed that Maltese hunters travelling to northern Africa were having an impact on globally threatened species including those listed under the Global IUCN Red List as ‘endangered’, such as the Saker Falcon, or ‘vulnerable’ species – there are nine lappet-faced vultures, four imperial eagles and two marbled teal in the most recent carcasses passed over to the museum.
“Poachers are persistently exploiting poor law enforcement; they are doing it in Malta and in other countries where there isn’t sufficient control on this criminal activity.
“They must be made to face the harshest penalties possible or their pursuit of prized wildlife, including birds, will not stop until there is nothing left,” Birdlife Malta executive director Tolga Temuge said.
http://birdinginegypt.com/documents/gebel-elba-ornithological-survey.pdf
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V Falzon
Jul 28th 2010, 19:26
My my, but the resourcefulness of the Maltese hunter shines beyond our shores. Watch him bribe the natives to bag himself a vulture.
Boy am I proud today to be Maltese!
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Jul 28th 2010, 16:37
FRANCO FARRUGIA
Shame on the Spanish
"The ban was pushed by animal rights activists who want it extended across the entire country, but some Spaniards saw the vote as having more to do with Catalonia's drive to cut Madrid's political influence than with the protection of animals."
politics yet again!!!
Chris Finch
Jul 28th 2010, 21:02
Shame on the Spanish(sic, as it was the catalans)? For what? For becoming more civilised? For following the teachings in the bible? This is one region. The vote will spread to all other regions and this barbaric socio-traditional cultural passtime will soon end. Then those hunters here who use the spanish bullfighting excuse to excuse their own bloodlust will have to find another scapegoat.
The writing is on the wall for bloodsports in Europe. Repent of your sins now hunters! reform, put down the gun, pick up the camera. You will find it more rewarding and possibly bring some peace into your lives.
Franco Farrugia
Jul 29th 2010, 09:46
Everyone turns things around to suit his agenda, I say. Instead of complimenting the Spaniards for this great step forward, we cry 'Shame'. How about crying 'Shame' to the people in Malta slaughtering birds? In the name of 'tradition'? I scoff at that word!
Johnny Xerri
Jul 31st 2010, 18:35
Franco & Chris, I really don't know and cannot understand your reasoning, since:
'The practical effect of the ban will be limited: Catalonia has only one functioning bullring, in Barcelona, while another disused one is being turned into a shopping mall. It stages 15 fights a year which are rarely sold out, out of a nationwide total of roughly 1,000 bouts per season'
Its only been banned in a region in which it practicly was not being profitable and followed. Its like banning fireworks from comino and banning hunting from Sliema and Valletta.
Lets see them ban the remaining 985 bouts & then comment.
As for Chris bring in God all the time, I have two questions:
1. Will God distinguish between killers of birds and contract killers of millions of slaughtered animals (supermarket shoppers)
2. Will God punish the 'bird hunter' for killing birds or the vote hunter for stealing votes.
3. Will God punish the hunter of the 'person who instigated a fight against the warden'
U hallina Chris bringing God into the arguement when God did not send toffees to the Egypt's hungry, nor spagetti, but quail. Of all the birds it was quails he sent them
Franco Farrugia
Jul 28th 2010, 12:21
A GREAT DAY FOR ANIMALS AND ANIMAL-RIGHTS: CATALONIA (SPAIN) VOTES AGAINST BULL-FIGHTS IN ITS REGION!
Franco Farrugia
Jul 28th 2010, 11:54
It is useless for the usual hunters who write in to protect their own interests, trying to continue living the troglodyte life and showing disrespect to animals in general. The facts are there and are known. Continue bringing in useless and faulty arguments (Formosa) as well as trying to pooh-pooh what is solid proof (Mifsud Bonnici). The law-abiding citizens in this country know what is happening.
Andrew Gatt
Jul 28th 2010, 14:20
Sure, Franco, sure. A few lines in a report prepared by Birdlife cronies in Egypt (said lines gleefully given to Birdlife Malta) and, just because they said so it's God's gospel truth.
U hallina. Xebghu jaqaw ghac-cajt bil-gideb u l-hmerijiet u l-mutetti. Dawk l-aqwa li jaghmlu hsara lil kaccaturi Maltin u ma jimpurthomx kif. Umbat tigi int tfahharhom!
How incredibly naive of you.
Chris Vidal
Jul 28th 2010, 01:44
We never learn! its a shame for Malta and the Maltese. Why don't we learn how to enjoy living creatures in their natural environment and not to be this selfish? selfishness is a form of ignorance.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Jul 27th 2010, 18:51
Chris Finch
As for condemning similar acts, it has always been pretty obvious for those with some grey matter within to realize that no hunter condones such acts, Yet how certain are you of the veracity of this report?
It is blatantly obvious that anyone that opposes hunting with relish any news such as this, no matter how true it is so long as it tarnishes hunters
It would be more newsworthy and of value should the Times publish the names of these individuals rather then rely on just speculation. Surely if these people were caught they would have been prosecuted in Egypt. Knowing who these people are would not only verify the truth of this allegation, it would also help identify who to name and shame.
It seems whoever unearthed this NEWS and sent it to the Times is not interested in verifying facts but only in free publicity from an obliging newspaper.
I give you one guess where it all came from?
r sammut
Jul 27th 2010, 18:42
Such doings are certainly to be condemned without reserves!
Egypt is frequent by many nationals other than Maltese for hunting purposes. During an observation camp by birdwatchers, the first of the kind it seems, this group happened on some Maltese poaching.
As commented in the conclusion of article by the same birdwatchers about birds sighting http://birdinginegypt.com/documents/gebel-elba-ornithological-survey.pdf
that; ‘impressions can be tricky’ on this one trip and ‘surveys to be undertaken all year… in order to get an accurate image’. The same can be said of poaching incidents, which may or may not, be also committed by other nationals!
Chris Galea
Jul 27th 2010, 18:35
But how anti hunting reports always appear as the season starts approaching ????? is it a co-incidence ? or is an orchestrated brainwashing dirty campaign ?? how come only the maltese were singled out during this "survey" , when thousands of hunters from around the world flock to egypt ??? - are all foreign hunters holier than the pope ??????
not to say that the most popular foreign hunting destinations amongst the local hunters are UK and Argentina !! -
Chris FInch
Jul 27th 2010, 18:09
What is interesting once again is the lack of condemnation for these actions from those confirmed hunters commenting below.
Just shows us all that they truly only pay lip service to condemning illegal hunting. It seems they are more interested in condemning those who are against the killing of Gods creatures.
MMB - led lights are in fact very good for the environment and can be bought in many places , not just Amsterdam.
C Cassar
Jul 27th 2010, 17:12
So now the Maltese 'cancer' of hunting and killing absolutely anything in the wild that moves has now spread abroad. Still, at least this we are nearing the final nails in the coffin for these people.
Andrew Gatt
Jul 27th 2010, 17:09
Got a suggestion for you Birdlife. Why not organise your next Raptor Camp and Spring Watch in Egypt? Rope in your CABS buddies and hop over to show the Egyptians how it's done. Bring the usual stuff - night vision equipment, spotting scopes, infra red, cameras, videocameras, provocative T-shirts.
Remember to trespass as you please, to slag off the Egyptian Government, the Egyptian Police, the Egyptian Game Wardens and all Egyptian hunters at every opportunity. Start a media campaign against Egypt's tourist industry. Exaggerate, lie and misinform. Dump petitions in front of the Pyramids. Parade shot protected birds (preferably bleeding and suffering) to get maximum attention. You should be experts by now.
Bet you'll last 1 DAY there, before you're arrested, interrogated and deported (unless they hang you for espionage, that is).
Just 2 lines in a report (written by people who are part of your network) and you HAVE to splash it all over your friendly media, don't you?
Charles Gauci
Jul 27th 2010, 18:34
Oh my Mr. Gatt! You have convinced me that you are a responsible hunter and that you are against anything illegal.
Franco Farrugia
Jul 27th 2010, 19:08
Yeah, you would be pleased by that, woudn't you. But I doubt that Birdlife Malta or CABS would be eager to take up your suggestion.
Andrew Gatt
Jul 27th 2010, 21:48
Sorry Charles, with the greatest respect, as long as my conscience is clear you can choose to believe me or not. No I have never been to Egypt, but I have shot in England.......several times and always between February-May. Legally, may I add, In SPRING, may I also add.
In the very same Europe and in the very same season that Birdlife Malta would have everyone believe is illegal. How about that.
So please excuse me if i take ANYTHING Birdlife and their network say with several tons of salt. Illegalities are criminal and should be punished. What about gratuitous exaggerations, wild accusations and unsubstantiated comments?
And, Franco, OF COURSE they won't. Why should they? Birdlife and CABS have got it good here. Picking on tiny Malta, with its generally miserable migratory patterns, flogging the past to death and sensationalising the prfesent out of all proportion to the reality. And besides, Egypt would shove 'em all out on the next plane if they tried even a tenth of their usual tactics.
Jason Borg
Jul 27th 2010, 22:57
U aqbad u ammetti li intom il-kaccaturi kif taraw kuccarda raskom iddur bikom u s-suba` jmur fuq il-grillu tas-senter!
Andrew Gatt
Jul 28th 2010, 14:36
Jason, ghalfejn ma tammettix INT li trid li il-kacca kollha tispicca, u li lest taqa ghal kwalunkwe livell?
Hallina xbin!
Anthony Formosa
Jul 27th 2010, 16:32
"BirdLife Malta President J. Mangion and volunteers holding three shot raptors ... Benedetta Marchi, István Moldován, Klemens Karkow and 7 others like this. ..........................
Are we expecting gods blessings from Mr Istvan Moldovan if he's perfectly linked with Birdlife Malta?
J.Cutajar
Jul 27th 2010, 17:00
Are we expected to believe you're not sticking up for the poachers? or that FkNk hasn't already buried it's head 50 feet into the sand?
viva zero tolerance !
oqodu aqbzu ghalijhom , hekk niehdu gost.
s.sammut biss kien ragel bizzejjed jikkundanna.
Anthony Formosa
Jul 27th 2010, 18:15
@ J.Cutajar,
Read my comment below, who broke the law deserve to be punished, and that has nothing to do with the rest who abide by the law. Zero tolerance applies also on drugs, but the market is overflowing, should we generalize that all Maltese are drug addicts, or that the police are burying their head 100 feet the sand sand?
Charles Gaauci
Jul 27th 2010, 18:28
Sure zero tolerance also applies to drugs. However I still have to see comments from non-drug addicts doubting if it is true that drugs abound locally! Still less calling people who pont this out liars!
Noel Cutajar
Jul 27th 2010, 18:33
Well spotted!! In my comment below I already showed how biased such report was. Mind you I am no hunter and never was in favour of hunting
E. Azzopardi
Jul 27th 2010, 15:56
It's not only done in Malta but also abroad. Another country re-confirmed what we always knew. And it seems that there is no shame about it. I suppose this will be denied.
Anthony Formosa
Jul 27th 2010, 15:48
Many hunters never went abroad for hunting especially in Egypt, so please do not generalize. Maltese hunters pass through the immigration on their arrivals and the few who broke the law were punished.
@ P Bonnici I was expecting your same comment for when Maltese are trafficking drugs to our country, or is it acceptable for you?
@ M Demajo, Precisely sport, and if you had enough of it, it doesn't mean that I have to stop it to please you.
@ Franco Farrugia, Do we have enough proof about teachers and giving good lessons relationship?
@ G.Grech Do us a big favor and don't call yourself Maltese, and try to find another nationality.
C. Abela
Jul 27th 2010, 15:43
We are ashamed, but not surprised. Apologies Egypt that you had to suffer this pillage from undisciplined Maltese hunters. Frustrated by the local scarcity of countryside and prey and the curtailed seasons, seems they had to vent their bloodthirst elsewhere. What a sad sad condition to be in.
Were it not for police enforcement, insufficient as it already is, clearly this would be the fate of our countryside too. Or is it already? Traditional Maltese lack of discipline + shotgun in hand = environmental disaster. This is why we expect our authorities to keep a very strict leash on hunting in Malta and substantially improve the level of enforcement. It's clearly overdue.
Killing such magnificent and rare protected birds like that is unthinkable to any person with their head and heart in the right place, but not these people it seems.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Jul 27th 2010, 15:31
Franco Farrugia
"Do we need any more proof about the hunter-poacher relationship. Various were the 'hunters' priding themselves online with going abroad on hunting excursions! Well, well, and well!"
Indeed Mr. Farrugia. Have you ever been to Holland? Amsterdam to be more precise. In an area renowned for led lights. And even if you did, did you do what some fools do?
So try and argue sensibly.
Jason Borg
Jul 27th 2010, 15:06
Now look who is throwing Malta in the bad light.
T Aquilina
Jul 27th 2010, 14:40
Surprised, anyone?
Andrew Gatt
Jul 27th 2010, 15:51
Not at all, actually! Birdlife never pass up an opportunity to sling some crap, nicely garnished with irrelevant remarks and out-of-context comments. A couple of paragraphs in a report which would be called hearsay and thrown out of any court! But as usual, Birdlife add 1+1 and somehow get 20!
Looks like Birdlife have run out of steam in Malta. Why not get to work protecting the Kurds and HUMAN rights in Turkey?
Mark Sciberras
Jul 27th 2010, 16:21
We are talking about the illegal slaughter of birds here. Don't worry there are other ngo's and organisations who are there to campaign for human rights and all other problems which exist such as malnutrition. The fact that you try and compare such problems together simply highlights that illegal hunting practiced by local hunters both locally and abroad is a very large problem which has a direct impact on bird populations.
s sammut
Jul 27th 2010, 14:09
This is now written in B&W. Hope that these "singled" poachers have their license taken away! It is also best for law obiding hunters????
stefan micallef
Jul 27th 2010, 14:05
In the servey there is only written this about maltese hunters:
"According to one of the EEAA rangers, Maltese hunters were seen and caught with two Lappet-faced Vultures and other birds at Bir Shalatin."
How it is possible that all those birds were killed by maltese hunters if hunters from all around the world go in egypt this is just an other report to tranish maltese hunters image!!but your to blind to see it!I just can't understand how 1mm lead palets cant kill a crocodile!!
Andrew Gatt
Jul 27th 2010, 14:02
Dunno why Maltese poachers would even bother going to Egypt.
After all, as Birdlife repeat ad nauseum.....isn't Malta on a main-mega-10 lane-migratory highway? Millions and millions of birds of every sort? And we also have Birdlife Malta to thank for the crowds of breeding birds that pack their reserves to overflowing.....nests and eggs littered all over the countryside?
This can't be true! Why would anyone spend money to shoot in another country if the wildlife in his own is so prolific? The 100,000 birdwatchers and 100,000 foreign hunters that visit Malta each year can surely confirm this, mhux hekk?
Eff off again, Birdlife.......and why not go back home Tolga Temuge? The Kurds need your help more than the Birds or the Egyptians. Or don't human beings count with you extremists?
Marco Debono
Jul 27th 2010, 15:31
Maybe because they have already collected the species found here in Malta and now they want to collect other species which are not found here. I'm sure the poacher didn't have any problems of misidentifying a Lappet-Faced Vulture with any other sort of game.
Andrew Gatt
Jul 27th 2010, 16:15
Marco, might it also be a possibility that Birdlife are again relying on more vague reports, hearsay and whatnot? See my comment again. Plenty of lies by Birdlife.....now surfacing for all to see.
Tongue out of cheek now. Poaching is a despicable crime. What gets me is that according to Birdlife and CABS's foreign stormtroopers, Malta is the ONLY, the WORST, the most EXTREME. Their own countries and the rest of Europe are vestal virgins. Yeah, sure.
Charles Gauci
Jul 27th 2010, 17:34
Dear Mr. Gatt,
Have you ever read il-Passa? I remember in the very first issues hunters boasting about the hundreds of birds killed in Egypt and proudly(!) posing near piles of dead birds. I also remember seeing a photo of a 'dura' built out of killed birds. BLM lies indeed!. Why don't you and your ilk for once condemn these 'hnizrijiet' outright? Then, and only then, shall the vast majority of Maltese stop imploring our feeble politicians to ban hunting outright.
Andrew Gatt
Jul 27th 2010, 22:58
Sure, Charles, sure. When was this? 1970/ 1980? 1990? It's 2010 in case you hadn't noticed. And plenty of EUROPEAN hunters, including Maltese, still hunt abroad in countries where there's an abundance of game. Often all year round.
Bulgaria, Romania. England, Ireland, Scotland, Argentine. Mexico, France...............check out the internet.
Interestingly enough, Malta figures nowhere (unless its another Birdlife blockbuster) - neither in hunting nor birdwatching tourism.
So much for that, Charles.
Johnny Xerri
Jul 28th 2010, 21:19
@ Charles Gauci,
The 'hnizrijiet' you mention are nothing to be ashamed of. When I go on hunting trips to the UK, Spain & Argentina I hunt LEAGL QUARRY, IN LEGAL HUNTING RESERVES, IN LEGAL SEASONS. So what if the bag is large? Usually I manage around 600 woodpigeons in a week, around 100 rabbits and around 70 other pest species from the UK and very large bags of quail and doves from Spain, and around 2000 doves from Argentina. All the game is taken to the game dealer who is licenced to process and sell the game to restuarants, pubs, hotels, and supermarkets.
I am more ashamed of idiots who believe that they have a God given right to buy meat from shops (butchers, supermarkets+++) but then they also have a God given right to block people from hunting their own supply.
The only issue related to banning hunting should be sustainability
If you don't believe that game is consumed then thats your problem. Every game species I hunt is consumed by me and my family and is never wasted. The proof is in the pudding, and you are free to analyse the pudding any day I consume game.
John Borg
Jul 27th 2010, 13:59
Please Birdlife Malta together wit CABS and Raptor Camps go to Egypt to protect these many species of birds that we never dare to see in Malta. Please do it for the good of the World Bird population. Malta will be such grateful
DVella
Jul 27th 2010, 13:58
So why don't the Egyptians do us a favour and keep them in jail there . . . together with the officials they allegedly bribed??!!!!
Chris Galea
Jul 27th 2010, 13:41
just maltese?!?!?!?!?!
a small percentage that fly to egypt from the 2% of all the maltese population !!! - and singled out - I don't buy it ........what about the italians ???.............. no one beats the italians for poaching.......
P Bonnici
Jul 27th 2010, 13:36
So now we really know who gives Malta a bad image!
Franco Farrugia
Jul 27th 2010, 12:45
Do we need any more proof about the hunter-poacher relationship. Various were the 'hunters' priding themselves online with going abroad on hunting excursions! Well, well, and well!
M Demajo
Jul 27th 2010, 12:45
I hope the courts realise the damage these hunters/poachers are doing and are sent directly to jail. We have had enough of this sport. I also hope action is taken against the travel agent who is organising these trips if these poachers caught were with a group.
Noel Cutajar
Jul 27th 2010, 12:42
“Maltese poachers were seen and caught with two lappet-faced vultures and other birds at Bir Shalatin,” according to an EEAA ranger.
This is just hearsay...If the EEAA ranger had caught them what action was taken against them?
Secondly...
The survey states: “The Maltese killers were caught on Egyptian Territory at Bir Shalatin which is a restricted area but bribery was probably the method they used to get through the endless checkpoints… there is also the question of how the poachers get guns and ammunition into the area.”
I read the report linked below but could not find anything shown above...am I getting old or is it just a blown up report? It is much easier to write such things rather than to show facts. Please whoever quoted such facts back it with real facts.
lino micallef
Jul 27th 2010, 12:40
These heartless hunters ought to be given the harshest penalties possible. They do not have the right to kill helpless creatures. They are stealing the rest of the population the joy of seeing nature in its habitat. If they like playing with guns, send them to wherever there is a conflict otherwise they should practice their skills by shooting clay pigeons. Shame on them and why doesn't the administration really do something about it.
G. Grech
Jul 27th 2010, 12:40
It is surprising how the nonsense and bad taste of some hunters manage to create an irreversible bad image for our people. I don't want to be called Maltese, just the same as people are.