Two arrests as record flock of White Storks comes under fire

Two men were arrested yesterday for shooting at storks which formed part of the largest flock of white storks ever recorded in the island, according to BirdLife Malta.

A hunter was arrested by the police Administrative Law Enforcement (ALE) unit after allegedly shooting at a stork in Madliena while another man was arrested in Żurrieq in possession of two dead storks.

BirdLife said the flock was shot at from different locations on Wednesday and yesterday, as the rare birds sought overnight shelter.

At least six storks were seen shot down while another injured stork was recovered but had to be put down by a vet. Another two storks were recorded in flight with dangling legs and missing feathers.

Yesterday, the NGO recovered a stork shot from a garden in Madliena. A shot Glossy Ibis, another rare migratory bird for Malta, was also received by BirdLife from Żabbar.

Late on Wednesday afternoon, around 200 White Storks flew in and the BirdLife Malta office immediately informed the police and mobilised its field teams to monitor the birds and ensure their safety.

The flock headed towards the Luqa airport area and BirdLife teams, the ALE and two Mepa environment officers watched over it.

The birds later roosted at Ta’ Kandja and Żurrieq so BirdLife, joined by nine local volunteers, maintained a watch through the night.

The teams heard distant shots coming from other areas.