FKNK condemns killing of spoonbills
The killing of majestic spoonbills which reached Malta earlier this week was a disgrace and an act that should be despised by everyone, especially serious and law abiding hunters and trappers, the Federation for Hunting and Conservation – Malta (FKNK) said.
It said in a statement that reports of a flock of spoonbills migrating over our islands reached the Federation early this week. It also received reports that this flock had landed to rest for the night in an area close to Burmarrad.
The FKNK was then informed that poachers had managed to sneak through the guarded area and take shots at these birds, killing some.
“This is a disgrace to everyone who loves birds and the environment and is an act that should be despised by everyone, especially every serious and law-abiding hunter and trapper.
“Without reservation and with all responsibility on behalf of the thousands of its members, the FKNK totally condemns such vile acts. In fact, the FKNK is hereby officially calling on all its members to notify the ALE section of the Malta Police immediately any one of them has any knowledge of any facts that could lead to the incrimination of the perpetrators.
“It is only in this manner that we, as a hunting and trapping community can really be seen to be the real guardians of the environment.
“The public sees such criminal acts as being hunter oriented and while this is an incorrect assumption, it is up to us to do our utmost to discriminate against such wrongdoings,” it said
The FKNK urged the police to do their utmost to investigate this case thoroughly and placed its resources at the disposal of the police, if this can assist in their task.
It reiterated its “zero tolerance” stand and said it would immediately halt the membership of any person caught, tried and convicted of wilfully shooting strictly protected species.
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charles Grima
Sep 25th 2010, 10:43
I guess the comments hereunder speak for themselves. Only idiots will argue it isn't so.
The vast majority of the Maltese population is against this barbaric practice ....well, it is not sport for sure. In sport you always have an opponent.
And a poor defenseless bird is hardly a well-equipped sporting type.
This is cruelty and bestiality at most...how about a vote on a ban to hunting and trapping?
FKNK.. too little, too late, and not on your life will we believe you! BAN HUNTING. For the good of the many, the few MUST suffer....
Johnny Xerri
Sep 25th 2010, 14:01
Before classifying who is an idiot or not, I would like to point out that:
1. Every country has a poaching problem.
2. Every country allows hunting (upto date only one anti mentioned a country that has no hunting on it, and a quick search for this country's hunting activity on google, and his claim was rediculed as the country even offered hunting holidays).
3. No country has ever banned hunting because of poaching.
4. BLM & CABS have claimed through a press release that they are not after total bans because that would amount to extremism and they are not extremists...are we to believe that their supporters are extremists (if so nothing will ever please them)?
5. You want a vote....go ahead....lets make 2 votes....one for an EU without hunting & the other for banning hunting. Because if you want to tak something out of a voted manifesto...you first have to do a retake..then we will see how Malta will remain in the EU without the stolen votes.
R.Caruana
Sep 25th 2010, 09:01
Missu jsir referendum bhal ma sar Spanja. BAN HUNTING - YES or NO
Johnny Xerri
Sep 25th 2010, 11:32
What referendum in Spain?
Bullfighting in Spain was ONLY banned in Catalonia (simply a region) for the following reasons:
1. It was not profitable, since only 2 venets per year were held, for which only half the tickets were ever sold.
2. In this region they are trying to disassociate themselves from anything Spanish, be it bullfighting or sangria.
Aprt from the fact that it was decided through a parliamentary vote and not through a referendum.
However, I agree, bring on a referendum.....with 3 questions:
1. BAN POACHING YES_____ NO______
2. BAN HUNTING YES_____ NO______
3. BAN EXTREMISTS YES_____ N0______
4. EU MEMBERSHIP WITHOUT HUNTING YES_____ NO______
5. EU MEMBERSHIP WITH HUNTING YES_____ N0______
I would vote:
1. YES
2. NO
3. YES
4. NO
5. YES
If a referendum on hunting had to really take place I expect that a retake of the EU referendum would aslo take place....since hunting was a very hot topic in that referendum that warrented a letter by; pm efa, pn, mic, a guarantee by vice precident for eu commission gunther verheugen (all small caps intended)
http://www.meusac.gov.mt/Portals/FME/Documents/AGGSE13e_Hunting.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iRNln1D7fs
Johnny Xerri
Sep 25th 2010, 14:21
What Spanish referendum?
Spain did not hold a referendum re bullfighting. Catalonia (simply a region, not all Spain) managed through a slim parliamentary majority outlaw bullfighting. Without going into the ethical merits of bulfighting, the following must be said:
1. In Catalonia, only 2 annual events were held, for which ticket sales were very very poor. They simply banned a non existing activity.
2. Catalonia, is believed to have done thsi since it is seeking cultural independence from Spain.
3. Catalonia, still allows hunting, and hunting holidays are very normal, http://www.huntingincatalonia.com/
4. Banning hunting, especially since it is practiced all over the EU would be seen as perescussion of minority....that is punishable by law....maybe that is why CABS changed their tune, and literally changed the words 'banning hunting' to 'banning illegal hunting'
How about this referendum?
1. Do you want to eliminate poaching Yes____ No____
2. Do you want to ban hunting Yes____ No____
3. Do you want to ban extremism Yes____ No____
4. Do you want to exit the EU if hunting is banned Yes____ No____
5. Do you want to exit the EU if hunting is not banned Yes____ No____
I would vote:
1.yes
2.no
3.yes
4.yes
5.no
Johnny Xerri
Sep 28th 2010, 16:09
unbelievable R Caruana claims that the Spanish held a referendum on hunting or bullfighting (coz from his comment one can hardly know on what the referendum was held) and then when his claim is contradicted he does not reply.
Mudsling hope that some gullible fool reads and believes that Spain held a referendum, when expossed just leg it!!!! At least if it is true, get the proof and I will acknowledge your claim. As things stand you had a go at showing people you are a peacock when in fact you are 2 feathers short of being a crow (cawla)
C. Abela
Sep 24th 2010, 20:23
To get a sense of the beauty of these creatures and the barbarity of whoever shot at them, check out the video at www.birdlifemalta.org (Im not a BLM member). Seeing such magnificent birds in a field in Malta like this is such a rare and beautiful sight, sad knowing it cannot happen just like that here while in other countries it is so common place to see beautiful birds in urban areas. Clearly, for many hunting in Malta is an outlet for a depraved tendency to destroy. Hunters, I challenge you to look at this flock like sitting ducks in a field and tell me that if BLM, CABS or whoever hadnt followed them and brought the police, they wouldnt have been decimated them in a minute or less? @FKNK “The public sees such criminal acts as being hunter oriented...an incorrect assumption" Please enlighten us then, who are we to assume shot at them if not a hunter? There are only two categories: those who go out with a shotgun to kill birds, and those who dont. Please stop trying to insult our intelligence! @philzammit I believe they are palletti in Maltese
Kevin Attard
Sep 24th 2010, 15:44
Ghal dawk, li bhali ma tantx jifhmu u li minhabba certu nies dawn l-ghasafar ma tantx jersqu l' hawn, din link ghal istampi ta' dawn l-ghasafar http://tinyurl.com/37pvjw9
T Aquilina
Sep 24th 2010, 11:35
Another sad and disappointing story. My only hope is that this is a case of shooting oneself in the foot, and not just the birds! The Govt should take a tough stand and when incidents of such scale and category happen, especially in protected areas, a ban on hunting for that season should be the response.
J Farrugia
Sep 24th 2010, 11:21
When I hear FKNK speking like this I will crash my head on the nearest concrete pole on the road. Such double speak by this FKNK. Remove FKNK from a local NGO. Make hunting illegal. they are stealing our natural heritage from our eyes.
S Vella
Sep 24th 2010, 10:21
Proset FKNK
Jien kaccatur li dejem obdejt il-ligijiet anki meta ma kienux joghgbuni. Jien ma nistghax nibqa nbghati minhabba ftit "poachers" irresponsabbli.
Taghmlu x'taghmlu, dawk li joghbodu l-kacca u l-kaccaturi sa jibqghu ikunu negattivi anki jekk tohorgu stqarrija li tikkundanna lil min jaghmel dawn l-atti, pero ibqghu ghamlu stqarrijiet bhal dawn halli min tugaw zaqqu b'kull ma naghmlu ahna, jkompli johrog il-hdura kontrina.
Sal-bierah stess il korp tal-pulizzija ddedika xejn anqas min 2 membri ghassa kontinwament ma dawn it-tajr fis-Salina. Nispera li min ghamel dan l-att jinqabad u jiehu li haqqu!
Ban hunting...LOL....as if!!
Charles Gauci
Sep 24th 2010, 21:07
The fact that, as you said, two police officers had to keep a round the clock watch on the birds, shows how bad the poaching situation is locally. Things will only change if and when FKNK and its members start turning in these morons to the police. Unless this happens, neither you ,nor anyone from the pro-hunting fraternity can blame the man in the street for calling for a total ban on hunting. This is not an isolated incident. Poaching (or illegal hunting) takes place every day and every night. It is useless for hunters who claim to obey the law to pretend not to be aware of this. As someone else pointed out, the ball is in your court.
Johnny Xerri
Sep 25th 2010, 11:08
Charles,
Banks are guarded round the clock, the parliament is guarded round the clock, so are embassies, and so are our airports....using your argument our country is not that safe...
If poaching was really that bad and if hunters were to all be poachers....then for the name of God we would not be here writting comments but collecting bodies of not only birds....can you imagine 17000 hunters shooting at will at anything that flies....not even the whole police, army, CABS, BLM and FKNK would manage to neter a field let alone protect a bird
Charles Gauci
Sep 26th 2010, 06:27
Honestly Johnny, I think you are mixing lettuce with something else. Banks, embassies, etc. are guarded round the clock in every country but birds are not (except by NGOs). A couple of years ago a Labour MP critised the police because they were keeping watch on a bird (forgot whether it was a Spoonbill or a Flamingo). Although several people writing in are asking for the abolition of hunting I have knowehere seen written that all hunters are poachers. However, you must admit that poaching IS a big problem in Malta and the size of our islands exacerbates this problem. So wouldn't you and others like you benefit greatly if CABS and BLM succeed to eradicate this problem?
Johnny Xerri
Sep 26th 2010, 13:10
I am mixing nothing with lettuce.
Your reasoning was that if the birds had to be guarded then we have a big problem with poaching. With the same reasoning if the other institutions I mentioned are guarded, then it means we also have a big problem with crime.
Banks attract thiefs, embassies attract terrorists, protected birds attract poachers. Is it right, no it should not be so, but unfortuanatly criminals stop at nothing.
Re your comment "Although several people writing in are asking for the abolition of hunting I have knowehere seen written that all hunters are poachers"
Come on it was never printed black on white simply because poeple do not want to end up in risking a court for calling someone a poacher without that person being so. However, when people call for bans following a report that a proctected bird was found dead, what are they implying? The ban will effect all, so they are implying that we are all poachers. When people redicule the term law-abiding hunters what are they doing? They are saying? That all hunters are poachers.
Poaching must end, but the mentality of banning hunting because of poaching must also end
Johnny Xerri
Sep 26th 2010, 13:23
I would benefit if BLM & CABS targeted only poachers....but all theya re doing is bothering law abiding hunters, filming a few poachers, and then using these incidents to bring hunters to bad light, in the hope that hunting is banned.
1.They should eductae the public that hunting is practiced world-wide.
2. They should educate the public that it is only poachers that are doing the harm and that poaching should be banned not hunting.
They strive and celebrate when protected birds are shot, because for them its another piece of ammo to try and ban hunting. If they really wanted to ban just the poaching, then why ban hunting for quails and turtledoves from 3pm onwards.
Considering that they have always claimed tht autumn is an alternative to spring, how can one call have days in which game is limited as an alternative? Can't the public see that the more BLM are trying to deprive hunters in the hope that they feel threatend with a ban, and so they will feel that once everything is lost they might as well poach? Thank God hunters are not falling into this trap.
Charles Gauci
Sep 26th 2010, 15:47
Johnny, CABS and BLM are targeting poachers not hunters. Unfortumately hunters are getting a bad name because FKNK, to my knowledge at least, has never turned in a poacher to the police. This despite repeatedly preaching zero-tolerance. Don't tell me that no one knows who decimated the Spoonbills. Don't tell me that no one ever saw a bird of prey being shot these last days? Only last Thursday two poachers were seen by me shooting at birds of prey at l-Ahrax tal-Mellieha (an area 'controlled' by FKNK). They then proceeded with impunity to kill a Honey Buzzard very close to the Ghadira Nature Reserve (well into the protected zone). By the time the police arrived, the two cowards had made their getaway and the police searched other hunters present in the area. Do you honestly think that none of these hunters
know who these two are? If they want to rid themselves of poachers wouldn't it be wise to report them to FKNK who in turn should report them to the police and exercise its zero tolerance. Come on Johnny, lets call a spade a spade.
Johnny Xerri
Sep 27th 2010, 22:52
Joke of the day "Johnny, CABS and BLM are targeting poachers not hunters."
If BLM & CABS only wanted to target poachers, then why not let the government apply a derogation to hun quail and turtle doves, these are not protected species and even the ECJ claimed that autumn is no alternative.
If BLM & CABS only want to target poavhers why push for a ban in the afternoon, especially when spring did not open and so autumn is the only time when one can hunt turtle doves and quail.
If they are not after a ban but only after poachers, then why try to take over Mizieb. First they try using the legal argument that Mizieb was not handed over to hunters in a legal manner. Then they start with the gimicks. How can one believe that over 300 birds were buried at Mizieb, when BLM & CABS with all their equipment gallor never filmed a bird being killed at Mizieb. Come on 300+ birds and not one filming?
How can one cooperate, with these chaps. Do not expect help, before seasons open as promised and law abiding hunters are not threated as scum.
M.Bezzina
Sep 24th 2010, 09:07
Ghalhekk ma jiddispjacinix li l gvern jaqta ghall kollox il kacca...kulhadd ghandu delizzju pero mhux accetabli li taqbez il parametri tad delizzju tijek....
G.Pisani
Sep 24th 2010, 09:06
And then we(or some part of the society) blames BLM or CABS if we get any fines from the EU... Who has the weapons to take down these beautiful creatures? Hunters.
BAN all arms and hunting government, make Malta safer and about time you wake up!!.
David Pullicino
Sep 24th 2010, 07:35
Ban hunting and let us all enjoy the birds that migrate across our shores
Joseph E Briffa
Sep 24th 2010, 07:19
One would imagine that a visit to taxidermists would yield positive results, and should enable the authorities to trace the perpetrators......
Phil Zammit
Sep 24th 2010, 04:57
Good to see the FKNK supporting the law! It clearly shows growth IS taking place. I recall as a kid in Malta, it was a 'free for all'. If there was nothing to shoot at, sparrows will do.
Well done, hope you mean it and keep it up.
I'm reading these highlights of my birthplace from the USA.
What's a spoonbill in Maltese?!?
Johnny Xerri
Sep 25th 2010, 11:01
Paletta (spoonbill) not to be mistaken with Palettuna (shovler - duck) just in case a hunter writes that he killed a Palettuna (the shovler duck) and we get some antis writting that a hunter has confessed to killing a spoonbill
Lawrence Camilleri
Sep 24th 2010, 03:18
FKNK will act against those hunters "convicted of wilfully shooting strictly protected species." Who does the FKNK try to fool? Does any serious hunter shoot down a protected bird by mistake? If hunters can't distinguish between protected birds and turtle doves, quails and other birds allowed by law to be shot then they should not be allowed to roam the countryside sporting a gun. And by the way, those 'foreigners' trying to curb illegal hunting have every right to be here and acting the way they are acting - they are protecting THEIR birds and not ours.
E. Azzopardi
Sep 24th 2010, 01:01
I would not even say " It's not good enough". I say " It's not good at all".
If we go on like this, it is going to be painful for the country. It seems to me that we are not taking this seriously.
Alex Ellul
Sep 24th 2010, 00:20
Since when I read the title of this piece,"FKNK condemns killing of spoonbills" I couldn't stop laughing. Sometime I intend reading it.
frank grech
Sep 23rd 2010, 23:38
FKNK......'' the real guardians of the environment ''
It is like having the Taliban safeguarding the Vatican!!!!
S. Zahra
Sep 23rd 2010, 23:38
bluf!!!! Ban hunting!
Michael DeBono
Sep 24th 2010, 11:25
Tahseb li jekk jaqtghu il-kacca ha jieqfu dawn l-affarijiet? l-illegailtajiet jibqghu ghal dejjem, jekk taqta l-kacca jbatu biss dawk li josservaw il-ligi. Dawk li jiksru l-ligi l-istess se jibqghu jaghmlu. Bhal f'kull qasam iehor... L-unika haga li rridu naghmlu hi li nghassu iktar, u multi ikbar u iktar horox. Il-bqija mhux se ssib tarf.
P. Camilleri
Sep 23rd 2010, 23:35
What a disgrace... ban hunting immediately.
Thomas Borg Barthet
Sep 23rd 2010, 23:28
Oh come on guys im sure all the guardians took a pot shot at a bird once in their life :/ Now i've heard it all..
Matthew Dimech
Sep 23rd 2010, 22:44
With all due respect to some of the comments below ... banning a thing is not the solution of problems but escaping from problem you can ban many other things but the result will be disaster. Why need CABS can't our police with the help of both BirdLife and FKNK arrest these poachers??
It is time to grow up and confront this problem together both BirdLife and FKNK should work together not against each other. It is very said to go onto the website of Birdlife malta and the only thing you see is dead animals ... way to catch a viewers eye!! If on the other hand one goes onto the site of birlife international the site is full of colours and life and you also find a section where the birdlife and face agreed together and are conserving our environment ... why can't this happen in Malta too??
Jason Borg
Sep 23rd 2010, 22:38
Jien ma nafx kif hawn min jibqa' jgħid li waħdiet jiksru l-liġi. Jalla l-FKNK tkompli tiffaċċja r-realta' (inkluż l-iskandlu tal-Miżieb) u taħdem bis-serjeta' biex dan l-abbuż jiġi kkontrollat għall-benefiċċju ta' kulħadd.
Mike Smith
Sep 23rd 2010, 22:23
This really now is beyond contempt,for Malta to allow this is the antics of a third world backwater,a country living in medieval times.What other civilised country allows destruction of such beautiful creatures?Why do the politicians pussy foot and kow tow around these so called men..Do they go dressed in camouflage to these hunts,what a bunch of idiots.Much anger is being shown towards Malta for allowing this to continue unabaited,these people are easily caught and punished but to the world now it seems corruption must be rife in the police department as hunters it seems are indeed officers of the so called law,what a joke Malta has become in this matter.
J Borg
Sep 24th 2010, 01:09
Calm down. Mr Smith. I have frequently written myself condemning this 'sport'. (Who enjoys seeing these lovely creatures in a mangled heap??) I also critisized, quite often, FKNK, who claim 'zero tolerance', and yet always attack CABS and BLM, instead of thanking them for helping to weed out the bad guys in their register. I don't accept that Malta has become a joke, or that there is much anger against us, MORE than there is anger against BULLFIGHTING in Spain, FOX HUNTING in the UK, and other barbaric 'sport' worldwide!
T Borg
Sep 24th 2010, 07:26
What other country? The UK for one with it's fox hunting. Spain for it's bull fighting and Italy for rampant bird killings. Are these too medieval countries? Aren't the Brits idiots as well to dress up in red, blow their horns and run after a small defenseless fox? But I guess in other 'civilised' countries these things are considered as cultural!
What a joke!!!
joseph lia
Sep 24th 2010, 07:36
@Mike Smith, if your name denotes British ancestry or relation just check the RSPB (UK) website statistics for last year's, yes last year not the dark ages, destruction and poaching of protected species, over 350 cases! Evidently much more cases reported than our third world backwater Island you so vehemently critisize. Very convenient for CABS & Co to string along a German TV crew, don't you think? Why not try the UK now, once they have so conveniently 'uncovered' Malta's barbarism, or is the UK devoid of such illegal acts and hunting does not exist over there?!
M. Cardona
Sep 24th 2010, 09:19
Malta does not allow the killing of such birds. In this case, hunters agree with BLM that such birds should never be targeted.
Unfortunately there remains a pocket of individuals who are intent on persisting with such despicable acts, even at the cost of tarnishing all hunters as well as providing fodder to the other side of the debate.
These birds were under surveillance and protection and yet still they got shot. It simply proves the point that collective punitive measures simply don't work; a case in point being the curtailed hunting after 1500h from 15 to 30 Sept. This and other unjust policies coupled with unjust media presentation as well as unfair requests by the other side of this debate have created undue antagonism.
Ironically, it is a well known fact in BL circle (studies and reports by BLI) that effective protection and conservation entails the co-operation of local hunting fraternities. Factually, illegal hunting in Buskett was curbed through co-operation between both ends.
So why this continuous stance of confrontation from BLM through their persistent demands for more restrictive measures on legal hunting and quarry, coupled with purposely muddling illegal hunting with the legal pursuit of the hobby?
M. Cardona
Sep 24th 2010, 14:10
Malta does not allow the killing of such birds. In this case, hunters agree with BL in that such birds should never be targeted.
Unfortunately there remains a pocket of individuals who are intent on persisting with such despicable acts, even at the cost of tarnishing all hunters as well as providing fodder to the other side of the debate.
These birds were under surveillance and protection and yet still they got shot. It simply proves the point that collective punitive measures simply don't work; a case in point being the curtailed hunting after 1500h from 15 to 30 Sept. This and other unjust policies coupled with unjust media presentation as well as unfair requests by the other side of this debate have created undue antagonism.
Ironically, it is a well known fact in BL circle (studies and reports by BLI) that effective protection and conservation entails the co-operation of local hunting fraternities. Factually, illegal hunting in Buskett was curbed through co-operation between both ends.
So why this continuous stance of confrontation from BLM through their persistent demands for more restrictive measures on legal hunting and quarry, coupled with purposely muddling illegal hunting with the legal pursuit of the hobby?
C. Abela
Sep 23rd 2010, 21:54
it is a positive move in the right direction that FKNK has taken this stand against the spoonbills' killing. Good. But is it enough?.
Im not being negative but factual. When the FKNK's directives were broken by hunters during the limited spring season which the government opened, it showed us that when it wants to, it can be very efficient at mobilising it members and controlling the behaviour of factions within it. Perhaps the opoerative phrase here is "when it wants to". On that occasion, it made a point of deploying marshalls out in the field to catch the blacklegs, who were then named and shamed.
So if FKNK really boasts zero tolerance, if it really expects us to distinguish between hunters and poachers, if it really claims to be the 'true guardian of the environment', why does it not do the same kind of action each year when the migrant birds appear and the inevitable poachers come out? Would this not gradually erode the poaching faction from inside? Instead you constantly attack those who are pro-actively doing something about it. Sorry, but it doesnt entirely click in place, does it. Try deeds not words, then it might.
John Borg
Sep 24th 2010, 07:59
In a way you might be right but do you think that FKNK members (hunters) will be happy to go out and do the government job (curbing illegalities) while the same government pays them back with a closed spring season, afternoon bans on Sundays & public holidays and after 3.00pm between 15 to 30 September; which is exactly the opposite of what they have been promised in writing?
FKNK has offered it's members help but under a condition that they are given a decent hunting season which for the vast majority of Maltese hunters means Turtle dove and quail hunting in spring like it has always been on these islands. Not to mention song bird trappers (also FKNK members) who have no season at all, they must be bursting of willingness to police the countryside!
The solution lies in government hands, a fair and just compromise and from there on all parties will work in the same direction.
G Grech
Sep 23rd 2010, 21:53
Ban hunting once and for all.
Alex Ellul
Sep 24th 2010, 00:16
and so say most of us..the majority....
Andrew Gatt
Sep 24th 2010, 09:50
Ban G. Grech once and for all.
jimmy Vella
Sep 23rd 2010, 21:47
REAL Gaurdians of the enviorment !!! Plant trees so that ALL birds that land on them gets blasted with a great PASSION .What a sick joke What we need is an effective police force The police know who these people are but always fail to do their duty.
Anthony Borg
Sep 23rd 2010, 21:39
"Serious and lawabiding hunters and trappers - where are they? Not in Malta, surely. Not represented by FKNK, surely!
J Borg
Sep 24th 2010, 01:13
Let's be fair, Mr Borg. I know of several hunters and trappers who never break the law: they are the departed! May God grant them eternal rest!
ssammut
Sep 23rd 2010, 21:36
well said but in order for FNNK to be become more responsible must suspent many and many of its members! Did FNNK suspend those members who said they were hunting protected species on the FNNK website? I doubt it!
Johnny Xerri
Sep 25th 2010, 10:53
The police were invloved and this is what materialised:
"However, and since you chose to publicize this issue, it would be opportune to point out that the person responsible for posting the piece that you used as an excuse to trigger off your letter is not a member of the FKNK and does not hold a hunting and/or trapping licence. In fact, it would not be completely senseless for one to opine that he could be a BirdLife member, it being not the first instance when BirdLife sympathizers contributed on our Forum."
BLM must have forgotten to inform the public that they got a reply for their open letter. But anyway I have been gentle enough to inform you and provide you with the letter:
http://forum.huntinginmalta.org.mt//YaBB.pl?num=1284654891
Enjoy reading it...and don't feel let down by BLM for not informing you...you are not the first to have made a fool of yourself while trying to defend them....
d. borg
Sep 23rd 2010, 21:27
Does killing birds make you guardians of the environment? What a joke!
V Falzon
Sep 23rd 2010, 21:08
"...the real guardians of the environment."
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Danny Apap
Sep 23rd 2010, 21:07
Some friends just came back from 2 weeks holidays in Malta, was their first visit to Malta and Gozo they loved it and one thing that they could not get over is! It’s the first place they been on holiday and saw not birds bar just a few sparrows. I was ashamed as I had no answer to give them (why) I could not bring myself to tell them that most are shot down. Can the MORONS that shot down a bird be really proud of them self’s.
Mike Orland
Sep 23rd 2010, 21:43
Poor guy you Danny. How ashamed you must have been. I suggest a reply for you in such cases when only sparrows are noticed around. Tell your foreign friends that:
"Unfortunately only sparrows and pigeons can make it to drink the only fresh water available on this tiny island, which water one can find only in the plant pots in your garden or in the street after your wife or mother finishes to clean the pavement in front of your front door. Unless birds start to drink sea water they can come to Malta for ages and they will never see any. You know fresh water is in some way or another deemed a bit necessary for life usually. Only God knows why."
If only we had the Venezulan Delta's ahhh!!!! your friend would be a happy turist. However I have to admit, I have been to many cities around Europe and it's a shame we do not have Crows.
J. Borg
Sep 23rd 2010, 20:59
The Police should have a word....and a real serious long one....with local taxidermists!
They must surely be/get involved !
Kieron O'connor
Sep 23rd 2010, 20:55
I fail to see how people who put stuffed dead bird carcases in a glass box can be see as "guardians of the environment".
Taking what can be seen and enjoyed by all and stuffing it in a glass box to be seen by a few, its not a legacy the Maltese of the future will appreciate.
m. zammit
Sep 23rd 2010, 20:53
Ban hunting and put the culprits in jail if caught...
J. Borg
Sep 23rd 2010, 20:52
Well said FKNK - however some initiative will be more effective.
Having shotguns and firearms outlawed, and allowing their collection and use only within dedicated and appropriately controled hunting ranges and sport ranges - should eradicate such barbarism - and also significantly avoid other crimes perpetrated with firearms.
Now the least one expects is a very harsh sentence if these sick men (who most probably have a licence to keep, carry and use shot-guns) are caught.
Lastly, why are cameras viable near Speed Cameras but somehow not indispensible near nature reserves and national monuments?
Johnny Xerri
Sep 25th 2010, 10:47
How can shoutguns be outlawed and collected when they were legally bought and licenced? Some are not even used for hunting, some are just collection items. Can you imagine a (minimum) €1000 hunting shotgun and some costing €2000 + being kept in one or few places? What would happen? Are we suppose to get in line to collect our gun at 8pm so that we may be ready by 5am (2hrs before sunrise) and then redeposit them at what time 5am so that we are in time for 9pm (2hrs after sunset)? And who will take care of them.
Used only in designated areas....so according to you I should not use my 25 tumoli of private land, so that maybe you could enjoy it yourself?
The public does have more than enough land.....whenever I go to any of the 40 Bird Santuaries, I never feel crowedout and have pleanty of space....you feel crowed out because you do not tolerate anybody...I suggest you find a deserted island...so that you can dictate and live how you want., coz nothing else will be good enough for you
Chris Grillo
Sep 23rd 2010, 20:50
The FKNK is finally calling a spade a spade. There was nothing else to do after all. And for these barbarians, a cell is too good for them. I would give them wings, tar and feather them, and drop them out of a plane!
Nobody is safe from these ... poachers...
S. Camilleri
Sep 23rd 2010, 20:48
FKNK and the hunters can use this yet another disgraceful event to redeem the name of those law abiding hunters. There is no way on earth that there is no hunter who does not know who these beasts are. Malta is small and the 'hunting' community smaller still and everyone knows about most everyone. Turn these hunters in and you can finally start being considered as a serious federation with a voice that can be trusted.
Myriam Loeffelmacher
Sep 23rd 2010, 20:43
I especially love this :
“It is only in this manner that we, as a hunting and trapping community can really be seen to be the real guardians of the environment."
Too good! the REAL guardians... Wonder what environmentalists and bird conservationists are, then.
A.damato
Sep 23rd 2010, 20:43
Cannot understand what all of you antis pretend more from FKNK !
Fknk has always condemned illegal activities, has proposed a marshall system to help and complement the police's work against illegal hunting ( which the government has not accepted ), has offered to pay extra duty police officers to accompany the birdwatchers ( which as far as I know has not been accepted either) and has cancelled the membership from the federation of individulas who were convicted by the courts for illegally hunting and had several times called on the government to beef up the ALE and institute a wildlife crime unit ( things that up till now the govt has not done )amongst other things.
But still you moan , accuse and point fingers at our federation.It's the police's job and duty to apprehend and prosecute any individuals breaking the law, that's what they are paid for.
You are only after banning hunting illegal or not illegal and that's it, admit it once and for all............................ but this will only come through in your dreams !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
M.Coppini
Sep 23rd 2010, 21:19
Who's moaning....I think it's hilarious...'guardians of environmental destruction' foresta 2000 will loom over your heads forever, it's too late for clever speeches now.
J. Borg
Sep 23rd 2010, 22:01
@ Damato
You miss the point that there are allegedly thousands of law abiding hunters out there in the countryside, whilst protected birds have been shot down years on end.
peculiarly in all these years FKNK and its social and cultured members never effectively kicked the police to apprehend and prosecute a criminal hunter!
Now it is either because they conveniently turn a blind eye (and two) OR because they are simply outnumbered!
The cheeky and self-defeating part is when CABS finally decide to thanklessly take the initiative to deter these vile killings - they are called names by the so-called Zero Tolerance FKNK.
Guess FKNK have some distorted priorities.
I Nicholas
Sep 23rd 2010, 20:38
“It is only in this manner that we, as a hunting and trapping community can really be seen to be the real guardians of the environment."
Which planet are you guys on? Do you really think anyone sees you as a guardian of the environment? Is there an influx of migrating birds wreaking havoc on the countryside that I don't know about? I think you'll find most people see you as mindless destructors.
S Diacono
Sep 23rd 2010, 22:16
LOL loved your comment :) quote "Is there an influx of migrating birds wreaking havoc on the countryside that I don't know about? " hahahha LOOOLLL PRICELESS !!
M Ellul
Sep 24th 2010, 09:24
Hahahaha !!! Good one mate!!!
Johnny Xerri
Sep 25th 2010, 10:32
were it not for hunters we would hardly have any trees, and habitat left.
Oh of course the environmentalists really do their part for conservation.....building in fields....just like is happening at this moment at saghtrija zebbug gozo....the Merill (blue rock thrush) has been breeding along with rabbits (legal game) for ages......even if hunters have practiced their hobby there for ages as well......yet now thanks to modern people who want to enjot nature......we have a natural ridge turned into a 10 level bunker and the fields which were previously with indiginous trees turned into orange orchards so that these modern people can enjoy some argitourism orange fruit picking.....
and best of all BLM kept silent about this ruined nesting site, of not a common bird, but of MALTA' S NATIONAL BIRD. SHAME
lmercieca
Sep 23rd 2010, 20:29
For once i congratulate FKNK for stating the true facts, such statement is a brave step for the Federation, hope its not temporary.
What is unfortunate is that many of its members are members cause it is a requirement of the law in order to get a licence. This statement will fall on deaf ears including many hunters who see such birds only as a valuable trophy to their collection.....
w.scicluna
Sep 23rd 2010, 20:28
Just ban hunting once and for all and impose harsh fines and prison sentences on who is caught. And pls don't give me the crap about hunters and poachers. Drastic changes require drastic measures. Shoot clay pigeons or yourselves if you wish but leave a bird alive so that other people can enjoy them.
Johnny Xerri
Sep 23rd 2010, 21:36
Just ban driving, self-employed, priests, judges, politicians.... once and for all and impose harsh fines and prison sentences on who is caught; driving, those working as self-employed or priests or judges or politicians. And pls don't give me the crap about drivers and joyriders, about self-employed and tax avaiders, priests and pedoes, judges and bribed judges, politicians and power grabbers. Drastic changes require drastic measures. Use public transport, work as employees, pray on your own, get foriegn judges and politicians.
Is it possible that if society distinguishes between; priests and pedoes, drivers and joyriders, politicians and corrupt politicians, judges and corrupt judges, males and rapists, women and prostitutes, the same society cannot distinguish between hunters and poachers?
w.scicluna
Sep 24th 2010, 01:52
@ Johnny Xerri. There's a small difference....those that you mentioned don't normally carry a shotgun and shoot at everything that flies. Oh and if you are thinking that everyone deserves a hobby, that is true but at least get a hobby that doesn't kill other living things. Its a real pity that birds cannot shoot back. I'd really like to see how much you'd like it!
w.scicluna
Sep 24th 2010, 12:15
Johnny Xerri, the people you mentioned do not usually carry shotguns and shoot at anything that flies. Thats the difference.
Johnny Xerri
Sep 25th 2010, 10:25
oh I see Mr or Mrs Scicluna,
So if a poacher acts illegally, all people who have a shotgun will be liable.
Shotguns are carried and used by hunters and poachers but according to your reasoning law abiding hunters should all be held liable and punished (with a ban) for the actions of other people (poachers) action.
Yet for Mr/Mrs Scicluna if you are a member of any other group you will only be liable for your actions.
What bothers this person is not actually the crime its self but the fact that we carry a gun.
"Johnny Xerri, the people you mentioned do not usually carry shotguns and shoot at anything that flies. Thats the difference."
Yes, go tell that to the people who have been molested and raped by priests. Or to those who ended up as victims of corrupt judges and polliticians. Or to those who have suffered a loss at the hands of joyriders. Mhux hekk W Scicluna...as long as they don't carry shotguns...they will not be collectively blamed...
J Brincat
Sep 23rd 2010, 20:15
Meanwhile the gracefull spoonbills are now mere carcasses!
Steve Zammit
Sep 23rd 2010, 20:05
This time for once I agree with FKNK...so well done
D Borg
Sep 23rd 2010, 20:04
It is only lately, when CABS are present on our islands and, together with our Police Force are exposing all the rampant illegal hunting on a daily basis, that FKNK is making its voice heard on such crimes. If the public attention was not focused on illegal hunting as it is at the moment, thanks to the precious presence of CABS, FKNK would not be doing this, just like it never did in the distant past. But it is now being FORCED to do this to keep some kind of 'good' image.
Quote "“The public sees such criminal acts as being hunter oriented and while this is an incorrect assumption, it is up to us to do our utmost to discriminate against such wrongdoings,” it said, unquote.
An incorrect assumption?? LOL is this some kind of joke competition? So, tell us FKNK, with what/whom should such criminal acts be associated? With carpenters? With bankers? With car mechanics? With horse-riding? Please FKNK, please do yourselves a favour and next time write one less sentence for your own benefit.
Stefan Micallef
Sep 23rd 2010, 20:44
" Please FKNK, please do yourselves a favour and next time write one less sentence for your own benefit."
Im sure people like you would still find something wrong,you are just never happy!
D Borg
Sep 23rd 2010, 22:11
No Stefan, you're wrong. People like me will be happy the day when a majestic group of spoonbills or swans will reach our island to rest for the night, and there will be absolutely no danger for them of being blasted out of the sky, so that they would be able to continue their peaceful journey the next morning, while adorning the sky.
I am not so optimistic about this though, thanks to the so-called "thousands of law-abiding hunters" living on our island, most of whom are members of FKNK.
Stefan micallef
Sep 24th 2010, 15:55
How can you say thousands of poachers!3 poachers could have killed the spoonbills.
D. Heest
Sep 23rd 2010, 19:50
Some Maltese individuals will never learn,that these actions of barbarism is putting their country in jeperdy and ruining the image of Malta and Gozo. Most of us know that malta has been nick named the killing field of europe and news is reaching us as far away countries as Australia, New Zealand, the US and Canada and many other european countries. I even read an article a while back in a Danish newspaper, also in the British foreign news about the severe situation in Malta regarding shooting out the skies migrating birds that do not even belong to the islands but simply flying over to their breathing grounds.. Even yesterday we visited Gozo, and we could literally hear numerours shots fired at some buzzers we were watching flying head above and nearby San Blas in Gozo. I could hear some of my countrymen who were in the vicinity at the time who i can asure you were not in the least amused, unfortunitly the locals are cutting their own throat to spite their faces as the saying goes, Malta and Gozo will end up isolated and black listed which is very unfortunate for the good of this nice country. Visiters/Ramblers.
Johnny Xerri
Sep 23rd 2010, 21:23
without ever defending poaching and illegal hunting...I humbly ask you from which country you originate....and if hunting is banned, or at least no poaching occures.
Poaching is not a national problem. It is not a European problem. It is a world-wide problem. Yet in no country is poaching used as an excuse to ban hunting.
BLM should stop the war against hunting, and start a war by signing a declaration with FKNK in which both parties agree about legal hunting seasons in line with the birds directive....and both parties start a real war against poaching....
BLM could use its financial resources to fund a reward system, rewarding anybody (hunter or not) who helps in reporting, identifying and exposing any poacher.
Government could start a system in which fines are passed on to BLM & FKNK so that they can be used for the reward system and for conservation projects.
FKNK could start a system in which part of the membership is also used in the reward system.
Whilst BLM may not like legal hunting, it must accept that hunting will continue to be practiced just like in the rest of the world...and fight only illegal hunting/poaching
S Vella
Sep 24th 2010, 10:35
I totally agree with Johnny Xerri!!
You cannot point your finger at Malta only. Poaching takes place worldwide and some birds which are protected in Malta, are considered as pests overseas and killed!! Some are poisoned, shot etc so consider poaching as a worldwide problem
We all know that a lot of rare reatures (not just birds) form part of collections of rich people who only can afford them. In Africa Elephants were killed simply for their tasks and left there to rot, not by Africans, by White Civilized men who made big bucks from their kill.
I condemn poaching in any way and congratualte FKNK for its statement to condemn this killing.
One must keep in mind that the police force are doing their utmost to controle poaching, and are catching some irresponsable poachers, but not all, So sont be smart and expect FKNK to solve the problem!
Franco Farrugia
Sep 23rd 2010, 19:47
Why do I have a feeling that I will be dreaming of crocodiles, tonight?
Andrew Gatt
Sep 23rd 2010, 20:03
Because, Franco, NOTHING ever satisfies you.
Mario Farrugia
Sep 23rd 2010, 20:19
@Mr. Franco Farrugia
Mr. Farrugia, I can only post my comment/reply to you in Maltese....
Imma lilek xejn ma jikkuntentak? Taf xi dwejjaq fik?? Dejjem teqred. Jaqaw imdejjaq bid-dinja kollha ta' madwarek int, Sur Farrugia? Kieku qatt nara' xi kumment bis-sens minn ghandek... Mohhok biex tikkritika, twaqqa' ghac-cajt, tirredikola, ecc. ecc. U mhux fuq il-kacca biss ta... imma fuq KOLLOX! Alla jbierek qisek tisthajlek xi expert fuq kollox... meta fil-fatt kieku xi darba rajt xi suggeriment ta' sens minn ghandek!
Uff, xi dwejjaq fik!!!
j Aquilina
Sep 23rd 2010, 21:07
......................because you only see the negative things in life and no positives! People like you should not even be allowed to write on these blogs.
Johnny Xerri
Sep 23rd 2010, 21:12
& I will be dreaming of; educators, brain washers, wardens, gramblers and people on sick leave enjoying a holiday aborad..
Franco Farrugia
Sep 23rd 2010, 21:34
Well, I am glad my comments bring out the moths - and the troglodytes!
Charles Gauci
Sep 23rd 2010, 19:40
For once I have to congratulate FKNK on their press release though I can never, never agree that they are the true guardians of the environment (sic). May I take this opportunity to point out that this morning two morons at L-Ahrax (near beach post beyond Red Tower) shot at least three times at protected birds of prey, wounding a Honey Buzzard in the process, which then landed in a pine tree very close to Ghadira Nature Reserve. They then proceeded to stalk it and shoot it dead. The police were on the spot in no time at all but did not manage to find these two idiots. However, they did search a host of other hunters who were present in the area. So I hope at least one of these hunters contacts ALE to turn in these two poachers. It is next to impossible that none of the hunters present saw them and knew who they were.
niki cremona
Sep 23rd 2010, 19:38
Im not a hunter and im not saying im in favour of hunting, but the disgrace is, how they managed to sneak a guarded area!!!!! thats the disgrace. if u dont want these birds to be shot just do ur jobs properly. to stop an illegal thing from happening, its not the fines and jail which is going to stop them, u just have to protect things properly. and the more u continue the way ur acting the more the hunters will challenge u and the more will be illegal shooting. its always like that in life
Charles Gauci
Sep 23rd 2010, 19:55
So are you saying that the ALE section of the police is inefficient? People like you do not want CABS and BirdLife doing this work as you say that it is the job of the local police. And what if CABS and/or Birdlife were watching over the birds and a poacher approached? What are they expected to do? The cannot apprehend the criminal. They would, of course, phone the police.
Mario Gauci
Sep 24th 2010, 08:44
@Niki Cremona
The disgrace is that police, cabs and birdlife members had to keep a 24 hour watch over these birds........SAYS A LOT ON THE INTEGRITY OF OUR SO CALLED HUNTERS. And yes some hunter/s did manage to shoot these Spoonbills down making it difficult for FKNK to use the usual argument of frameup like they say happened at the Mizieb bird cemetry, where hundreds of protected bird species were found shot.
PAUL FAVA
Sep 23rd 2010, 19:33
Very well done FKNK. Calling a spade a spade is a very responsible thing. Now maybe the jargon that the FKNK is always defending poachers ends once and for all. I know most of you and I vouch for your seriousness, dedication and responsibility. Like you I wish that the poachers are caught and taught a lesson.
G. Grech
Sep 23rd 2010, 21:59
yes well done. But, we've heard already a lot of this cheap talk.