Hunting: CABS reports 'some real progress'
A Marsh Harrier.
CABS - the German based Committee Against Bird Slaughter - has reported some illegal bird shooting but also reported some 'real progress after some 200 birds of prey in Mizieb were able to fly off unharmed despite the presence of some 50 persons with shotguns.
In a statement this morning, CABS said that a remarkable mass fly-in of Honey Buzzards, harriers and other birds of prey took place over the past two days due to prevailing weather conditions.
Thousands of Honey Buzzards, Marsh and Montagu’s Harriers as well as a few Black Kites spent last night roosting on Malta and Gozo.
The night roosts chosen included the Mizieb woodland, the area around Little Armier, the vicinity of Buskett and Mgarr as well as the Delimara Peninsula.
“The majority of the birds continued their migration this morning unscathed” commented CABS spokesperson Axel Hirschfeld. “Nevertheless, despite a massive police presence, a number of poachers used the opportunity to shoot down several birds of prey yesterday evening and this morning”.
The first casualty was recorded at about 5.45 p.m. yesterday in the eastern part of the Mizieb woodland, where a poacher fired two shots at a group of Honey Buzzards as they came in to land. One bird was mortally injured. The police, alerted by a CABS patrol, searched the area and checked suspicious vehicles, without success.
CABS was also informed by police sources that a male Marsh Harrier with shotgun injuries had been recovered at 4 p.m. in the Gnejna Bay area by the ALE and taken to a veterinary surgeon.
At 7.15 p.m. a CABS team, deployed together with police officers in Delimara, witnessed a Honey Buzzard coming under fire from several locations. It finally fell to earth dead. Between 3 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. a total of 46 shots were registered at Delimara.
Shortly before 8 p.m. the same team recorded 5 shots in the vicinity of Żejtun. A short time previously several Montagu’s Harriers had been sighted in the area.
The largest night roost, with some 200 birds of prey, was the Mizieb woodland.
"Although at least 50 persons with shotguns were out and about there this morning the three CABS teams deployed in the area recorded no killing of protected species. It was fantastic to see these rare birds fly off unharmed. In view of the massacres of birds of prey in this very area over the past few years this represents real progress” commented Alexander Heyd, CABS’ General Secretary.
The other - and darker - side of the coin was revealed near Little Armier area, where at least 100 Honey Buzzards had roosted in the nearby picnic grounds. The on-site CABS team witnessed the shooting down of the first Honey Buzzard at 5.32. A bird leaving at 9.50 was killed near the Red Tower. Between 8-9 a.m. a further three Honey Buzzards were shot at while leaving the roost but were not mortally hit. The ALE was informed of the situation and they despatched several patrols to the eastern Marfa Ridge.
CABS was also informed of the arrest of a poacher by police near Żejtun after he had shot down a Honey Buzzard.
Since the start of their operations last weekend, CABS said its teams had recorded 158 contraventions of hunting and bird protection legislation. These included 119 shots outside permitted hunting times, the illegal use of electronic decoys on 16 occasions, 12 occurrences of the shooting at or shooting down of protected bird species (the figures include yesterday’s and today’s events), 7 instances of the use of firearms with more than 3 consecutive shots, 3 cases of hunters not wearing the essential armbands as well as one case of illegal trapping of protected song birds. The latter offender was filmed. In addition a total of 9 birds of prey with obvious shotgun injuries were observed.
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Steve Zammit
Apr 28th 2011, 20:34
It is very encouraging to note that some ''real progress'' has been noted in the north of Malta
Thumbs up to the hunters that didn't shot at any raptors while they left their roosts. This is all thanks to BLM and CABS hard work over the years, and FKNK's and KSU's condemnation of illegalities in recent times. Prosit this is the step forward. These organisations should forget the past, and pull the same rope together to totally wipe out illegalities from Malta. Only then we can enjoy our birds to the full.
But unfortunately alot of progress has yet to be done in the south of Malta. I was in the vicinity of Handaq and the airport yesterday and I counted more then 45 shots in the space of two hours. This was at a time when Honey Buzzards were flying low over. I saw one Montagu's Harrier being shot and another Honey Buzzard being shot at twice. I also saw two idiots in full camo gear hiding near a carob tree with guns waiting for raptors to pass over. And despite all this no police presence in the area were I was. Phoned the police 5 times, but to my disappointment they never answered. For those that follow my comments, this is the same site where I reported illegalities last week. Very shameful indeed and BTW no Birdlife nor CABS visit this site, thats why I agree when it is stated ''tip of the iceberg'' in any press releases because alot goes unoticed and unreported. Shame
I sighted more then 150 Honey Buzzards and it was a beautiful sight indeed. Even just comparing the incidents I reported to merely 10 years ago, i already see improvement and progress. Without doubt, 10 years ago, a day such as yesterday would have resulted in a massacre! We just need to work hard to stamp out the last rambos from our countryside. But yet again, at such a delicate time , 1 incident, 1 shot bird is just one to many. Regards
Anthony Angelo Mifsud
Apr 28th 2011, 17:52
Gentleman, this no news, we made a deal to abaid with the law, and no nonsence as after all its our loved sport is up in the balled, we have weeded all wrong doers and this morning it paid off, as there was more then the CABS has reported. I was there, and I stand to be corrected, there must have been over 400 pieces of birds of prey.
Weldone to all at Mizieb
Tony Tas sejt
Mr Mark Sultana
Apr 28th 2011, 16:30
It is very evident that the hunting lobby is doing it's best to take credit for any progress (even if still far away from ideal) in the illegal hunting situation in malta. For as many years as I can remember till last year, the hunting lobby was denying that illegalities were rampant if present at all.
Their startegies were and remain as pathetic & sad as killing a bird.......but then again what does one expect.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Apr 28th 2011, 17:26
The least one expects is for the two organizations out scrutinizing hunters to agree on their being "some real progress".
As for illegalities being rampant may I remind you of the way birds were publicized to being killed in millions and now we talk of tens and even less. This explains why you consider the word rampant in a different way to those who know the meaning of this word.
As for strategies being pathetic you definitely stand with those who have given this word a new meaning and who through their actions are digging the biggest grave possible. Cheap spades are available if you're interested
Mr Fabian Borg
Apr 28th 2011, 17:56
What does one expect from an Anti-Hunter ?
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Apr 28th 2011, 15:16
We appreciate the comment that "some real progress" has been achieved and state that hunters have been exemplary in their comportment for far longer than CABS can remember. The fact still remains that few illegalities do still occur and augur that anyone found guilty of shooting protected species will face the full weight of penalties related to such crime that contemplate a maximum of two years imprisonment..
The extent of illegalities being reported considering 6,000 people are licensed to hunt this spring only goes to show that having hunters in the field precludes the possibility of poachers roaming around unhindered. We trust CABS appreciate the value of responsible hunters in preventing any bird crime and expect a word of gratitude in this respect.
Responsible hunters never have and never will flout regulations in the way some fools that should never hold a gun license do and such hunters do not have any fear of scrutiny or regulating. As such we recommend that CABS refrain from hassling responsible Maltese citizens and concentrate on the LEGAL "SLAUGHTER" of raptors in Germany which according to their own website shows no indication of "real progress".
We understand flights to Germany operate on a daily basis at very convenient times. We have full trust in the Malta police for which we have paid money to supervise our practices, we certainly do not need people reporting whatever they please without any official confirmation of their findings even more so now that they admit to "real progress".
Mr Mark Sultana
Apr 28th 2011, 16:30
It is very evident that the hunting lobby is doing it's best to take credit for any progress (even if still far away from ideal) in the illegal hunting situation in malta. For as many years as I can remember till last year, the hunting lobby was denying that illegalities were rampant if present at all.
Their startegies were and remain as pathetic & sad as killing a bird.......but then again what does one expect.
Wayne Caruana
Apr 28th 2011, 15:08
I am very happy to hear this news but am really adamant of beleiving it especially when every morning I have to wake up at 6 am to the loud bangs of several shots in private kirkop fields, the cabs people all they have to do is camp out for a night, no alarm clocks needed to wake up trust me.
Mr joseph lia
Apr 28th 2011, 16:10
Dear Wayne, I too am happy to hear this news but am really NOT looking forward to the Festa season which will soon start and will last throughout Summer, I cannot even start to have a siesta let alone sleep with the loud bangs reverberating continually. Bear and tolerate my friend.
Jason Borg
Apr 28th 2011, 15:01
A piece of news which should make everybody proud. Well done, everybody.
Reuben Abela
Apr 28th 2011, 14:31
o'rly ?
David Felici
Apr 28th 2011, 13:52
It s a pity we don't see any clip or photos of this "remarkable mass fly-in of Honey Buzzards, harriers and other birds of prey " which took place during the past 2 days. I don't understand how it is easier to film one bird being shot down than a remarkable mass! Or it's more of interest to throw mud on all hunters!?
The link below gives a chance to all readers (especially those who might have a hidden agenda) to see what is of more interest than a bird being shot down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgpk3yad1bQ
Finally, it is nice to note that CABS noted "SOME REAL PROGRESS" and also called anyone shooting at any bird of prey " a poacher" and not generalise like always by using the word hunter! May I wish well and congratulate all hunters for being so strong and law abiding and also the police force for a great job. Let's keep enjoying together our last 2 days of this spring hunting season and give once again an answer to all those against the hunting lobby.
Mr Adrian Cauchi
Apr 28th 2011, 13:40
Dear All,
It is very positive to note that Hunters are starting to learn. It is also positive that CABS took a different approach and congratulated the hunters.
I would like to say that when Little Armier was mentioned it is eronious to mention that any massacre was committed. CABS only mentioned of one incident early in the morning, and I was there personally and not more that 14 shots were heard which could have been on some turtle dove.
But a big well done to all. And let us hope that in he future CABS, BLM and Hunters co-operate o reach their goals legally together.
Adrian
Mr R ferriggi
Apr 28th 2011, 13:39
how can one possibly shoot down such wonderful creatures as birds of prey???
we applaud cabs and the police force and appreciate their efforts.
Ms Emma Xerri
Apr 28th 2011, 13:37
Hunters say that they to hunt for food. Now it is a well-known fact that birds of prey are inedible, so what is the excuse for shooting down these beautiful creatures? I would really like to know.
As for the hunters who we are to believe hunt to feed their families, hello, have you never heard of chickens, usually found in butcher shops and in supermarkets? Quail too for that matter can also be found there.
Mr Dan Mangani
Apr 28th 2011, 16:19
If a person really hunted to eat ( and not just for fun) then it would actually be alot better than buying chickens and quail which have been farmed and, usually atleast, spent their entire life in a misarable enclosure awaiting the day they get picked and slaughtered. In my opinion if , as i have said, people only hunted food that would replace a particular meal baught in buthcher or supermarket i think it would be a lot more ecofriendly and humane. It is just an opinion ofcourse.
Ms Emma Xerri
Apr 28th 2011, 23:38
Dan, it would be better if the chickens and quail were free range farmed, but it would be best if one adopted a vegetarian diet. I still do not believe that in this day and age, the Maltese people depend on hunting for their sustenance, what are we a nation of hunters and gatherers - in which case why hasn't National Geographic come down to do a special about the quaint Maltese troglodytes that are still in their caves, but as far as I am aware, hunting is an expensive hobby and firearms are very expensive. As for the raptors, I am still waiting to know what they shoot them for and what do they do with them. Stuffed in some pseudo-Victorian sitting room perhaps? How awful.