BirdLife 'flooded' with injured, dead protected birds
Shot birds received by BirdLife today. Photo: BirdLife Malta
Following the shooting of several greater flamingos in St Paul’s Bay last Wednesday, BirdLife’s office has been flooded with injured and dead protected birds, and numerous reports of protected birds being shot in several locations, the organisation said.
It said in a statement that, over the last 48 hours, BirdLife Malta together with the RSPB (BirdLife UK) Investigations team and CABS (Committee Against Bird Slaughter) also kept an overnight watch at Dingli last night to safeguard the roosting Egyptian vultures.
Over the last two days, it recovered seven injured protected birds, including a common kestrel, a night heron, a yellow-legged gull, a hoopoe, a lesser kestrel, a marsh harrier and a honey buzzard.
The conservation organisation also received confirmation of a shot hobby in Gozo yesterday. The injured bird was recovered by a birdwatcher and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority has been informed.
“Illegal hunting is clearly completely out of control and the Government’s claims of high levels of enforcement and zero-tolerance of illegal hunting bear no relation to reality,” Nicholas Barbara, BirdLife Malta Conservation Manager said.
BirdLife said hunters also had illegally shot at two endangered juvenile Egyptian vultures seen arriving in Malta on Wednesday by birdwatchers in Dwejra. They said the vultures were luckily soaring high above the cliffs and were not hit.
BirdLife said that with the cooperation of local birdwatchers, it followed the vultures which eventually roosted in a quarry in Dingli.
BirdLife, together with RSPB investigations staff, CABS and local birdwatchers, set up an overnight watch to guard the birds, with teams positioned to cover the area around the quarry.
Having made it safely through the night, both vultures were yesterday morning able to continue their migration south, protected by the continued presence of the volunteers and MEPA and police officers.
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Ramon Casha
Oct 8th 2012, 05:42
Every season it's the same story. After reassuring everyone that most hunters obey the law, the moment the season opens most hunters will shoot at anything that flies, including all protected species as well as racing pigeons, well outside the time when they are allowed to hunt and often very close to roads and houses. Once a hunter is legally able to carry a gun in the countryside and is far from anybody else, no bird is safe. In the meantime, despite all of these illegalities going on, and despite its protestations that they do not tolerate illegalities, you don't get any "legitimate hunters" reporting on the crimes of the poachers, which leads one to suspect that law-abiding hunters are about as rare as some of the birds they shoot down. If hunters can't be trusted to obey the law, then hunting must be banned.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Oct 7th 2012, 20:42
G G Debono, so in your opinion, blanket punishment should only be applicable for hunting??!! How is that for democracy?! Meanwhile, keep enjoying your cycling and let others enjoy their hobby!! You have no right to imposed anything on anyone!
G G Debono
Oct 8th 2012, 09:24
Sylvana
RE "You have no right to imposed anything on anyone!"
But hunters do by depriving other of the full beauty of nature. I love to see birds free. I often see beautiful birds flying in over the sea and my pleasure in seeing them is spoilt by worry whether they will survive their visit to Malta.
I repeat - if hunting were banned, Malta would be a nicer place.
If I cycle it doesn't bother anybody, and I don't pollute.
RE "punishment should only be applicable for hunting?" - no I never said any such rubbish - - - - we are talking about so-called hunting here.
ROBERT SULTANA
Oct 7th 2012, 18:39
While condemning all illegal hunting I think that Birdlife's agenda is very clear on this issue,that of amplifying the problem. In my opinion one of the reasons could be financial i.e the continuation of funding from various European sources. To call a dozen shot birds a 'flood' compared to the many thousands of licensed hunters does not match with what even Natalino Fenech, a known anti-hunting activist,had to say in his latest book 'The Birds of Malta' where he states that things are not like they were 20-25 years ago.
Paul Caruana
Oct 7th 2012, 10:28
Sad, but totally predictable.
The "hunter - conservationists", as they like to portray themselves in the media, know all too well that with an election looming, the government would not dare clamp down on such blatant criminal activity - right now it is the "shoot at anything in the sky" as opposed to a regular hunting season.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Oct 6th 2012, 19:49
G G Debono, shall we also ban driving since there are irresponsible drivers??! Shall we ban cyclists since there are irresponsible cyclists??! Shall we ban self-employed because of tax-evasion??! etc., etc. Please, please can we have some sensible comments?!
G G Debono
Oct 7th 2012, 14:37
Sylvana
These arguments are futile - it is just mixing apples and oranges.
It has nothing to do with the moral argument against killing defencless animals for pleasure.
Hunting is an out-dated, old-fashioned and cruel pastime and there are so many other more wholesome pursuits today than killing birds and depriving people of the pleasures of the countryside. .
Maybe hunters should take up cycling ?? . Heh heh
G Caruana
Oct 8th 2012, 14:25
There's no need to ban anything except hunting.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Oct 6th 2012, 19:31
Chris Finch, you really think so?! I am sure you are aware that far from banning hunting, Spring Hunting has again started to be enjoyed by our hunters! Does this substantiate your argument? Definitely not!
David Pullicino, please be aware that I support the many law-abiding Maltese hunters. Actually, I agree with you that fines be imposed on poachers. In actual fact these already exist. Are you truly unaware of this? True, as you wrote, "The EU does ban the shooting of protected species, even in this Member State" BUT it allows hunting in all its Member States. All EU citizens are EQUAL and no-one may be discriminated against.
Pippo Demarco, are you really serious?! What a banal comment! I believe you have not read Mr Johnny Xerri's comment in another post, where he wrote that he had confirmed with the EU that ONE Member State cannot place its citizens in a discriminatory position from that of other Member States. Furthermore, the EU representative also informed him that hunting is covered by EU legislation, this when Mr Xerri pretended to be a bird-watcher and tried to enquire whether a ban was possible. If you believe that you are above the EU, well that is your problem. Facts are facts and you have all the right to dream on!!
S Sammut
Oct 6th 2012, 16:13
All politions all looking till the end of their nose about the hunting matter.
There the damage done to the country tourism and nature
Is far larger just to please some voters.
Tony Camilleri
Oct 6th 2012, 13:46
I hope these are not false flag operations
Hugh Jampton
Oct 6th 2012, 17:24
Tony Camilleri What are you smoking? better still what are you suggesting? that birdlife is going out shooting birds to blacken the already discredited actions or lack of them by shooting organisations on Malta??
Oh my sides hurt! Is this the level of desperation of the Hunting fraternity are sinking to? the ' fresh out the freezer' conspiracy theory having been sunk as these birds are wounded but alive, you turn to x box games for the 'false flag' conspiracy....
please, stop digging sir, you can hardly see out of the hole already dug.
f vincenti
Oct 7th 2012, 07:59
Tony, I can guarantee you that myself and my partner have witnessed at least 8 protected birds being blasted to smithereens in the last 4 days. No false flags here. it's time to end this slaughter. people are clearly ignoring laws
G G Debono
Oct 6th 2012, 13:32
To ………………..M Attard…………….Today, 08:45
Please, Mr Attard, don’t insult our intelligence with rubbish arguments !
Yes, OK, OK, we all know that “Lot of drugs are ruining the life of kids”. People (and the police) are very concerned about it too ! But.... do you mean to say that hunters should be allowed to destroy beautiful birds because other people push drugs????
Fine argument ! But readers are not stupid enough to buy it. .
As to “7 birds when there are 10,000 hunters”.
More rubbish - - - for every dead or injured bird that is found there are probably 100 butchered birds that are not found .
In any case, do your comments mean that you agree with killing protected birds?
G G Debono
Oct 6th 2012, 11:37
To Mr Anthony Formosa Yesterday, 18:48
RE “Mr G G Debono because in my imagination I think that it is all well and good for all abuses, and if a bird is shot (if not a pigeon) we start to generate hatred.”
Mr Formosa – it is illogical to defend the slaughter of protected species on the basis that there are “other abuses”
I am against all abuses and some of these – and especially against the killing of beautiful defenceless creatures for pleasure -
How a person can derive pleasure from killing wild birds is beyond comprehension.
50 years ago the countryside was full of beautiful birds and seagulls were everywhere to be seen on our coasts. Now , thanks to hunting, all that beauty is gone….. and yes, - - - this has generated hatred , as shown in 95% of these blogs. You hunters have deprived us of too many of the pleasures of the countryside . When I see a beautiful bird flying in over St Julians, I worry because I wonder if it is going to survive its visit to Malta.
Hunting is a stupid antiquated anachronism - there are so many better and healthier things to do nowadays. There is absolutely no justification for it....
Malcolm Licari
Oct 6th 2012, 10:51
It is a pity that birds that pass by our island are shot down, especially when admiring some bird that you don't normally see everyday being gunned down as it passes by trying to avoid the lead balls shooting towards it, when all that the bird wanted was to have a rest whilst passing by after a long journey. I admire the BirdLife team for organizing the overnight watch, as i think it is one of the most effective way to stop these people from shooting on protected birds. I am against bird hunting but it cannot be banned completely because it is a hobby/sport in a considerable amount of places around the world, but there are rules to be obeyed but they are not as it seems, shooting on turtle doves and quails in my opinion is enough for the pleasure of hunters but the toleration of killing Spotted eagles, Black storks, Egyptian vultures etc. cannot be accepted. I hope that more investigations are made to stop this slaughter and a big thanks to the BirdLife team for its hard work.
John Caruana
Oct 6th 2012, 09:01
Din tal-massagru tal-ghasafar hemm bzonn tinqata dasrbas ghal dejjem. Min irid jispara ghandu jispara fuq il-klej pigins u l-armi jinzammu f'xi post mghasses mill-pulizija. Pero jekk il-gvern irid jaqta il-kacca darba ghal dejjem ghnau jigbor l-armi kollha u jeqridhom kif ghamel il-gvern |awstraljan. Min jinqabad b'armi bil-mohbi ghandu jehel il-habs. U bilhaqq il-helicopters qieghdin jissorveljaw lil-kampanja bhallissa?
ROBERT SULTANA
Oct 7th 2012, 18:10
Sur Caruana, meta trid tikkumenta ghamel il-homework qabel. Il-gvern Awstraljan gabar u qered l-armi awtomatici u semi-awtomatici biss u mhux l'armi kollha kif ghidt int. L-armi taz-zewg u single -shot ma ngabrux u l-kacca legali ma twaqqfitx.
M Attard
Oct 6th 2012, 08:45
When your relative is caught stealing, you should be sentenced too. That’s like when you say that hunting should be banned because of the few. Even if the government had to collect all the guns on the island, there will still be illegalities. Lot of drugs are ruining the life of kids. Take care of such situations rather than showing 7 birds when there are 10,000 hunters.
Denis Pace
Oct 6th 2012, 08:36
Birds do not have a vote>
Has anyone from the MLP spoken out against this rampant bird slaughtering.?
Of course not!
Kevin Muller
Oct 6th 2012, 08:07
It's high time to call for a referendum about hunting and poaching in Malta. This issue should be taken out of the hands of the politicians who only look for votes and forget about what the majority of the people really want on our islands - stopping this stupid habit of killing animals just for the selfish fun of a few.
Isabelle Calleja Ragonesi
Oct 6th 2012, 04:09
close the hunting season this is the best form of enforcement
Matthew Vella
Oct 6th 2012, 03:23
How anyone can derive pleasure from killing a bird is beyond me.
Nick Man
Oct 6th 2012, 01:08
Ok... Shooting these birds is illegal. I agree with that... not all the hunters are to blame... it's like saying elderly people are bad drivers let's ban people over 60 to drive... this just because of the few...
The fact is there are only a few hunters that ignore the rules, and as always, these people shed a really bad light on the local hunters as a whole. I am no hunter myself, but having a few family and friends that have a passion for hunting telling me that they enjoyed seeing this type of bird of prey, and that type of rare migratory bird pass by... then cursing the hunter six or seven hundred meters down the valley that shoot on it puts a light on the real situation...
The few "Cow boys" out there that shoot on these type of birds are the real problem. And as someone said, seven birds out of the hundreds that pass and roost on our island is still a very good percentage. It is proof that the enforcement is actually working as it should because up to 20 years ago all hunters used to shoot on anything up in the sky even racing pigeons and sparrows. To say FKNK are the ones to control these irregularities is very difficult. It's like telling a football club to control their football supporters during a fiery game against a rival club.
There will never be a situation where illegal shooting will stop anywhere in the world let alone on our tiny island where everyone knows everyone or knows someone who knows someone else... 100 % bird protection is a very nice dream that I personally would like to see for these rare migratory birds, but deep down everyone knows that it will never be the case irrespective of how many drones fly, or Bird Life volunteers enroll, or German/British observers help or even satellite technology used to observe from far away the illegal hunter's activity...
Peter Midler
Oct 6th 2012, 10:43
It seems that many birdkillers' advocates always say 'I am not a hunter myself'. I wonder if it is shame, truth or deception!!
G G Debono
Oct 6th 2012, 19:18
Nick
Re your comment
"Ok.......................... it's like saying elderly people are bad drivers let's ban people over 60 to drive... this just because of the few..."
This is insulting, nonsensical and untrue - a much younger age-group is responsible for the majority of accidents . It is also an odious comparison, if somebody is a bad driver it is not illegal etc.
Whatever you say, people are fed up with the arrogance of hunters and, to make matters words, many of the hunters commenting here seem to be backing up the slaughter of protected birds by saying that "only a few were found" and all kinds of bigoted rot.
As you say, Malta is small and it shopuld be easy for legitimate hunters to find out the criminals.
Malta is anyway too small to sustain hunting on this scale.
John J Borg
Oct 6th 2012, 21:53
@Peter Midler.....why?? because he defended his friends legal right to hunt???? this same right is enjoyed by other 7 million fellows across europe!!!!.....the fight is against illegalities and not who is a hunter or not!!!
f vincenti
Oct 7th 2012, 08:08
dear Nick, the problem CAN be controlled - a total ban. Other countries are starting to so this, so why not Malta? The ''friendly'' island that we all want visitors to come to?? Allowing hunting to go on just to please a few poachers (with apologies to those hunters who do abide by the law) is insane. Standing by and doing nothing or shrugging shoulders and saying ''oh well'' is irresponsible of all who claim to love their island & the environment
Charles Grixti
Oct 5th 2012, 22:46
Where is the government in all of this? Oh yes, doing important stuff and hob-nobbing with the jet-set and getting a lot of photo-ops and feeling important. Shame on both the PN and the PL. They should both take a stand in favour of nature and in favour of the majority of the Maltese who wish to see hunting banned in these islands. Instead they are both courtng the hunters' votes. Pathetic does not even begin to describe the situation.
Carmen Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 22:40
When is shooting going to be made illegal? The desire to kill defenceless creatures is beyond comprehension.
Must require immense bravery to aim and shoot at defencless creatures.
Why don't they go and shoot at clay targets if they can't control the urge to shoot?
Rosalie Freestone Bayes
Oct 5th 2012, 22:30
The only reason I would condone the killing of birds,especially in their most vulnerable when flying freely in the sky, is if the perpetrator needs it for food. As we are not yet in that situation, I think we should leave these beautiful creatures alone --- to keep on flying and enhance our world.
Eve Axiaq
Oct 5th 2012, 21:35
FKNK ghandha tassigura li tikkontrolla l kacca llegali. Ghandha tkun responsabilta tal kaccaturi nkella l kacca tigi mwaqqfa. Il maggoranza tal kaccaturi l pjacir taghhom hu kemm se jolqtu tajr illegali biex minghalihom qed jisfidaw lil cabs.
leon camilleri
Oct 6th 2012, 07:59
bir rispett kollu dak inti qeda tghidu.... u probabbli mandek ebda idea dwar is sugget . jien minix kaccatur pero ghandi rispett kbir lejn id delizzju u ghandi diversi hbieb u qraba dilettanti ... fejn nahseb f kull familja ssib lill xi hadd dilettant . fil post li nkun jien ikun emm diversi kaccaturi u ftit li xejn minnhom jabbuzaw ...huma dawn il ftit li ma jissejhux kaccaturi li jitfaw dawl ikrah fuq id delizzju . l fknk mandiex kontroll fuq dawn in nies , min irid jabbuza se jibqa jabbuza
Mr Victor Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 21:22
Yes illegal hunting is out of control. I witness the gunning down of protected birds almost on a daily basis during my walks.
It's not poachers who shooting the birds. It is hunters: just normal hunters, a significant number of hunters - running into thousands - can't resist shooting down virtually any large colourful bird that flies. There is no poaching in Malta: there is only rife illegal hunting.
And, since the hunters are not able to self-regulate and the police are not able to control illegal hunting, then the only solution is to ban hunting outright.
JOHN SCIRIHA
Oct 6th 2012, 01:08
we have stupid hunters as much as we have drivers. so with your way of reasoning we should abolish driving.
And, since the DRIVERS are not able to self-regulate and the police are not able to control NEGLIGENT DRIVERS, then the only solution is to ban DRIVING outright.
Anthony A. Mifsud
Oct 6th 2012, 02:42
Victor Borg, I think in your walks you were day dreaming, illegal hunters shoot down a colourful bird every time he walks?
Where about do you walk mr Borg, If I may ask?
Havent seen a coloured bird since carnival!
Keep walking one day you might arrive to attard..
Ninu
R Curmi
Oct 6th 2012, 14:20
nthony Mifsud are u colour blind by any chance or decide to play dumb...... so for you Qerd in nahal (bee eater) is black and white or colourful????? A hoopee ( daqquqa tat toppu) is Yellow with striped black and white on its tale or a sickly grey??? shall we continue?
Yes u hunter posting here try to play dumb until u are out in the field armed with a gun cause thats the only way it makes u feel macho
mario salnitro
Oct 5th 2012, 21:17
7 BIRDS A FLOOD COME ON TRY ANOTHER!!!
Anthony A. Mifsud
Oct 6th 2012, 02:49
@ M. Salnitro, would this be like that guy selling Blood oranges, to prove the oranges are Red Blood he breaks one open, it wouldn't surprise me that these insignificant group having got nothing else to do, they just pop a rounds? and then they claim look at what the hunters can do... shame on both,,
Ninu
Wilfred Camilleri
Oct 6th 2012, 07:58
Even one illegally shot bird is too much!
Joe Xuereb
Oct 5th 2012, 21:13
Like all addictions, killing birds for the fun of it - like alcoholism, gambling, drugs - is hard to kick. The pleasure at the sight of a mangled, bloodied bird (flying free 'as a bird' only seconds earlier) is just too strong to be given up. Why! even the retrieving dogs are known to get withdrawal symptoms and their owners even worse. The good news is that one way or the other, birds will keep coming. While the hunters are a dying breed who will one day recognise their shame.
@ Benny Pisani(Today, 19:46). Mr. Pisani, there are birds and then there are birds. Likewise, there are people and then there are people. If you get my drift.
I know! I know! Birds and other animals are killed all over the world but since when do two wrongs make a right. Keeping in mind that Malta's main industry relies on the good-will of foreigners. Unfortunately, the situation is such that we need foreigners to sort this out seeing that our Government shies away from anything too controversial (like divorce, for instance).
Mr Victor Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 22:30
No, the birds will not keep coming. The peregrine falcon, the barn owl, and the jackdaw have been hunted to extinction in Malta - hunters gunned down every one of them, down to the last one.
Glen Micallef
Oct 5th 2012, 21:10
The dedication of Bird life people towards the cause is admirable!
Mario Pandolfino
Oct 5th 2012, 20:55
Close the hunting season now.No proper enforcement work could be carried out due to lack of personel to deal with these illegalities.
Noel Portelli
Oct 5th 2012, 20:11
What a shame, such beautiful creatures. Don't these guys realise that they are causing damage to the hunting lobby. FKN do something about this.
Benny Pisani
Oct 5th 2012, 19:46
There is a lot of hypocrisy in all of this. why does Birdlife pity a bird of prey but not a turtle dove or a quail? All birds should be protected. why does not birdlife say it is against hunting?
Mark Shaw
Oct 5th 2012, 22:31
BirdLife is against ILLEGAL hunting, notice the word ILLEGAL ;) which means hunting of protected species. BirdLife has also mentioned the both Turtle Dove and Quail hunting is an area of concern as their numbers are falling, but as these two species are legal to hunt there is not a lot they can do.
Shaun Anthony Camilleri
Oct 6th 2012, 04:28
Birdlife is against hunting - da! Birdlife is for life.
Mr Zeppi Borg
Oct 6th 2012, 08:17
Shaun and what about the chickens??? still birds umm??
David J Cassar
Oct 5th 2012, 19:30
How sad. What an ugly and barbaric behaviour. This is truly shameful and to be condemned. Very sad indeed. I have attempted repeatedly to find reason in what the hunting association has to say and try to somehow understand their need to practice this so called sport, but unfortunately they say one thing and then practice something else.
S Azzopardi
Oct 5th 2012, 19:27
Unless the law is amended and hefty fines in the regions of 50 000 euros are imposed on the perpetrators. This barbaric slaughter of birds shall see no end.
G G Debono
Oct 5th 2012, 19:01
To……………… Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
RE "We are part of the EU and therefore the Maltese hunters cannot be discriminated against"
Well they should discriminate if hunters cannot keep their house clean.
The best approach would be to immediately close the hunting season if any protected species are shot. …and basta .
This would soon have results – instead of lamely and uselessly “condoning”
Please, Government, show some political will !
David Dandria
Oct 5th 2012, 19:50
I am in complete agreement with you. George Pullicino did it in 2007 - so why not now?
Mr T Zahra
Oct 6th 2012, 09:15
Yes but then the barbarians will claim that birldlife shot the bird just to close the season....the hunters are well aware that the police do not have the resources to control this and that is why it is out of control.
Bear in mind that these birds are just the ones that have been found...imagine the number of birds that have been shot and collected by the hunters and trappers
Mr Joe Camilleri
Oct 5th 2012, 18:56
POSING INJURED BIRDS FOR A PHOTO. ISN'T THAT ALSO ANIMAL CRUELTY !!!!!
R. Saliba
Oct 5th 2012, 19:01
No. Its awareness.
G G Debono
Oct 5th 2012, 19:04
No - the birds are being held gently - and, in any case, injured birds have to be handled.
And look who's talking about cruelty !
Cruelty is shooting these beautiful creatures for pleasure.
Please stop these stupid arguments.
Tim Micallef
Oct 5th 2012, 21:54
The birds are held with care and only for a short while for the photo, something that you certainly know.
Yet you go on writing your 'words of wisdom' in capitals, making it all the more shameful and distasteful.
Unbelievable, but coming from you.....!!
John Dee
Oct 6th 2012, 09:26
Clutching at straws in an attempt to distract from the shameful actions of the uneducated and uncivilised?
Educated and civilised races do not need to satisfy their primeval urges by with needless slaughter.
Steve Zammit
Oct 5th 2012, 18:46
These are all injured birds
Some hunters come out with the excuse that the birds are taken out of freezers....now these are still alive, what will they say?
Illegal hunting is still the order of the day
I urge members of the public, law-abiding hunters and all to report and speak up against illegalities
The quicker we stamp out those that persist in shooting protected birds, the quicker everyone will be happy and left quiet.
M. Cardona
Oct 5th 2012, 23:21
Steve Zammit,
I know that you know that the illegal targeting of protected birds has greatly recreased! At least those with a modicum of objectivity acknowledge that. I am not saying that it has been curbed completely (in fact it never will), but maintaining that its the order of the day is a bit more than far fetched.
Many hunters cannot wait for the first skylarks to make their appearance. I love grilled alwettu.
Steve Zammit
Oct 6th 2012, 00:30
Yes it has decreased when compared to years ago, but the fact that BLM has received almost 50 shot/injured birds in just a month in the year 2012 highlights how bad the problem is out there.
Yes it will, harsher enforcement, more fines, political will and when hunters start stamping out the offenders, yes it will.
It's not far fetched...of course there are law-abiding hunters out there, but the law-breakers are doing a good job in giving you a bad name, if you are actually serious about curbing illegal hunting, it's high time you speak up and mean business.
Didn't get the last bit? did I miss something?
G G Debono
Oct 5th 2012, 18:46
to..........................Mr Borg .............Today, 18:03
RE "How do these volunteers manage to find all these dead/injured birds so freshly killed/injured ------ ants, rats and cats in or country side would not leave the carcass intact for long"
Mr Borg you shoot yourself twice in the foot (to coin a phrase) with your comments :
1 ) According to what you say, the fact must be that for every freshly dead or injured bird found by volunteers there must be many, many more that were eaten, finished off or carried away by ants, rats and cats in our countryside. Not a nice thought.
So, for the seven dead or injured birds in this picture there are probably 70 other dead or injured birds that were not found. Not a nice thought !
2) As a hunter yourself - it sounds as though you are trying to defend the wanton shooting of these beautiful protected creatures ??? Also not a nice thought....
How sadly wrong you are
Alfred Bugeja
Oct 5th 2012, 18:39
Right. So now we know that according to the Birdlife Concise Dictionary, 7 means a 'flood'.
I guess that 10 would mean a 'tsunami'. 15 probably would get you 'armageddon'.
G G Debono
Oct 5th 2012, 18:54
Re "......................according to the Birdlife Concise Dictionary, 7 means a 'flood'......"
Yes it does, Mr Bugeja ! .............for every freshly dead or injured bird found by volunteers there must be many, many more that were eaten, finished off or carried away by ants, rats and cats in our countryside. Not a nice thought. It could be hundreds ! more than a flood !
Please stop the massacre .
(see below )
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Oct 5th 2012, 18:37
To all those dreaming of a total ban on hunting: This can never materialise! We are part of the EU and therefore the Maltese hunters cannot be discriminated against. Even had the Maltese Government to decide on a ban, the Maltese hunters may seek redress from the EU!!
Meanwhile, is it legal for BLM members to handle protected species?! While I condemn all forms of poaching, I also condemn BLM's exaggerated statements! No wonder they have refused police attendance, paid for by FKNK. Sorry, BLM but I have got used to your exaggerations and I know of many who likewise have got used to it!
Chris Finch
Oct 5th 2012, 18:54
Costa Rica is part of the Americas and they have just banned recreational hunting. Seems the dream is becoming a reality. It is up to each member state to decide.
David Pullicino
Oct 5th 2012, 19:47
What a shame. What is being done in the name of sport, tradition or whatever name the poachers use to defend their activity is pitiful.
The EU does ban the shooting of protected species, even in this Member State, and I feel the vast majority of the Maltese people would support a clear statement that fines that will really be a deterrent to breaking the law will be tabled in Parliament.
Pippo De Marco
Oct 5th 2012, 22:17
So, a ban can never materialise, eh ? - Really ? - Are you absolutely certain of that ?
Rather than banning Hunting, a member state can unilaterally enact legislation making it an offence to possess a firearm and/or ammunition.
So what then ? - I would pay money to watch our brave Rambos hunting with spears, sling-shots, bows and arrows. - It's just a pity that we don't have any game that can fight back, because that really would be 'sport ' (but not a very popular one, I suspect).
C Pace
Oct 5th 2012, 18:13
Stop this slaughter
Fabian Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 18:26
Ask the sad faces how many of the birds they are holding were seen shot and why they did not catch the outlaws ? It is hard to state what is probably obvious but as we know without proof one cannot point fingers but pity needs no proof as it all points in one direction.
This has become a business and it will only grow in proportion. Remember that BLM is partially funded by the EU though their expect Fund Targeters. Not to mention the hunderds of school children who are lured in just to be `in`
In the past (pre 1979) it was not illegal to shoot any bird.
Now that laws have been passed and most are abiding there are more and more people involved in `protecting` the birds. How does one protect the birds ? I admire who slept overnight watching over the vultures but it stops there. Posing with dead/injured birds is not `protecting` them. It is just trying to shed a bad light on a group of people without having evidence in hand.
Mr Zeppi Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 18:28
I m with you to fight for the pigs, cows an chicken rights!!!!!!!! please keep me informed when we protest against burgers and more.....
R. Saliba
Oct 5th 2012, 18:56
Here is a question for you Mr Borg. Do you know any poachers?
Fabian Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 18:03
The single question that comes to mind every time I see these pictures is:
How do these volunteers manage to find all these dead/injured birds so freshly killed/injured and yet they do not manage to get the footage of the culprit who killed/injured the bird ?
Being a hunter myself I know that ants, rats and cats in or country side would not leave the carcass intact for long. If you do not recover your quarry soon with the aid of a dog or with your own hands it will be carried away by scavengers. Yet all the birds seen in pictures are immaculate as if they did not spend more than a few minutes on the ground before being shot again, this time with a camera.
Hugh Jampton
Oct 5th 2012, 18:24
Another flight of fancy from an individual desperately trying to deflect the truth.
But this time there are also observers from the Royal society for the protection of birds a highly respected organisation - try telling them your theory, I know who the world will believe.
Chris Xuereb
Oct 5th 2012, 18:44
How do hunters never manage to find the poachers they always mention?
B. Jones
Oct 5th 2012, 18:49
Of course these bird life activists got them straight from the freezer to upset you and fool the whole nation.
Come on, give me a break!
Steve Zammit
Oct 5th 2012, 18:50
Fabian, Quite simple really
Last week I collected an injured Kestrel.
Probably shot that same morning, a few hours later a women who happened to be walking in the area, flushed the bird from the ground and managed to catch it. The Kestrel was probably flying when it was shot at, kept on flying only to fall injured on the garrigue in pain. The member of the public found the bird, she then phoned me up and I collected the bird. The birds above are all found by members of the public, that are willing to phone to be collected by BLM. thus shows that this is only the tip of the iceberg. Most birds are found that same morning or day. Those that don't would probably meet the same fate you wrote yourself.
G G Debono
Oct 5th 2012, 19:10
Mr fabian Borg
Re “ How do these volunteers manage to find all these dead/injured birds so freshly killed/injured and yet they do not manage to get the footage of the culprit who killed/injured the bird ?“
Mr Borg:
Unfortunately the bird don’t fall on the hunters’ heads they fall a distance away –
Please stop trying to justify this barbarism
Darren Micallef
Oct 5th 2012, 21:04
Mr.Borg, it is really a great pity that the SINGLE question that comes to your mind is that fable you are trying to impress us with. I am not a sofa person that you hunters like to nickname the people who criticise your delighting sports, yet I can tell you that the Maltese countryside is tired of all the illegal hunting which happens continuously and I know this because I happen to be a witness to these sick acts day in day out.
Needless to say, many hunters registered with the FKNK do not shoot protected birds only because they know they are being watched and observed with binoculars and don't want to get themselves involved in trouble. Not because they know it is wrong to shoot the above pictured birds!
Mario Farrugia
Oct 5th 2012, 18:02
How many signatures are needed to force a referendum to ban hunting forever? Or is this not possible?
Mr Zeppi Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 18:22
How many signatures are needed to force a referendum to ban football forever? Or is this not possible? Because I don't like football..... sometimes Players take drugs, sometimes a player die on the ground, supports fight all the team, they swear in the ground in front of children, they promote betting and many many more......
maria borg
Oct 5th 2012, 18:32
mr zeppi
if players take drugs it`s their own choice they are only harming themselves no one is forcing them and if you don`t like football you have an option change channel .....killing birds it`s completely different
G G Debono
Oct 5th 2012, 18:50
To Mr Zeppi Borg
The loopy reasoning of the arguments you guys dredge up is incredible !!!
Mr Borg Football does not inflict cruelty or death on defenceless animals . it is a fair, harmless, healthy sport between humans.
If hunting is banned Malta would be a nicer place for all....
leon camilleri
Oct 6th 2012, 08:07
ban hunting forever ? ... hunters have the right to go hunting .... if there are 10 hunters and 3 of them break the law ... what about the other 7 ?
David Dandria
Oct 5th 2012, 17:48
I think there is now enough justification to close the Autumn Hunting season, as had been done following the Foresta 2000 tree destruction and the honey buzzard massacre in Spring 2007.
Mario Farrugia
Oct 5th 2012, 18:00
Agreed. Pity the PL and PN can't even agree on this out of fear of losing votes.
Chris Finch
Oct 5th 2012, 17:32
For those asking for a country to be named where recreational hunting is banned, look no further than Costa Rica.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/03/costa-rica-hunting-ban_n_1934564.html
Hunters, enjoy your 'hobby' whilst you can. The writing is on the wall.
Malta should take the lead and promote itself as a wildlife sanctuary and nature reserve.
Daniel Xriha
Oct 5th 2012, 17:48
Can one compare Malta with Costa Rica ???
Do we have the same game available?? Where can you find "Jaguars, pumas and sea turtles are among the country's most exotic and treasured species, and are often hunted or stolen as trophies" ???
Why don't you compare with EU Countries ... for example UK hunt almost all year round ...
And what "wildlife sanctuary"?? ... The only birds that stay here are the pigeons and house sparrows other then that nothing mate!! Our climate and resources are nothing compared to any country in the world!
PS: If you reside in Malta then you know what I mean.
Hugh Jampton
Oct 5th 2012, 18:18
Daniel Xriha: As usual a bit misleading information dressed as applicable to Malta ..in Uk wood pigeon are pest status, don't migrate, aren't endangered and damage crops. Pheasant are an introduced bird that are usually bred and released and there is a strict season for them - those that escape the shooters manage to survive and breed in the countryside. There are also Grouse that have a strict season.
The rules are strict, and strictly applied. no shooting of thrushes or songbirds or blackbirds and trapping is illegal also the turtle dove is a protected species... So the impression that shooters can just go out and shoot anything all round the year are not true.. and how you would link that to what happens in Malta I've no idea apart from the fact that you cause enough carnage to the birdlife that passes through Malta in the short time your allowed - any longer would be a disaster.
Patrick Zammit
Oct 5th 2012, 18:39
Daniel, stop misguiding people.
The Barn Owl, the Maltese Falcon and the Jackdaw are example of birds that used to breed here.
They no longer do because they have been wiped out by hunters.
Daniel Xriha
Oct 6th 2012, 17:08
@ Hugh Jampton
If you think that you are more holier then the pope .. I think your place is at the Vatican.
What you want the readers to believe is what is legal in the UK .... but unfortunately this is just a bit of what really takes place in you country ... Swan massacre in Bedford - http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/ourwork/b/investigations/archive/2007/10/10/swan-massacre-in-bedford.aspx; Golden Eagle fitted with tracker - http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/ourwork/b/scotland/archive/2012/10/03/a-national-disgrace.aspx .... etc etc
Spare us with excuses mate !!!!
Charity begins at home!
PS - One other thing, we don't shoot on songbirds! but the Italians do! Its a delicacy and their government applies derogations in order to continue being practiced annually!
John Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 17:18
Birdlife must work with the federation for hunting to stop this. the antagonism that is being creating is leading to most of this. hunters take a pot shot at a bird and leave it where it falls just to spite Birdlife.
Victor Falzon
Oct 5th 2012, 18:26
By your warped logic it's ALWAYS BirdLife's fault, isn't it Sur Borg!
Jesmond Scerri
Oct 5th 2012, 17:04
shame shame shame shame
harsher penalties to hunters .. killers actually. please find another hobby
E Schembri
Oct 5th 2012, 17:03
Ban hunting for good..... that will solve the problem. But our political parties don't have the guts as it may cost them votes!
Well, for the first time, my vote is going to AD who seem to be the only ones who speak out against these illegalities.
C Mallia
Oct 5th 2012, 16:57
So much good work done by Birdlife and still in 2012 and after 7 years in the EU, we have not yet clamped down properly into hunting illegalities. Year in year out, we get these repeated stories. So disgusting. Many Maltese are fed up with this situation. Please when using your vote, and want to vote red or blue, keep some vote preferences for a party who has declared themselves against hunting.
R Gatt
Oct 5th 2012, 17:14
Well Said
Jay Oatmon
Oct 5th 2012, 16:56
The only sensible answer is to ban both the senseless useless bird killing and the trapping - the bird killers and trappers do not respect the law, and the police are ineffective - so a total ban is the only way.
I don't think the PN or the PL have the necessary will and determination to comply with the majority of the Maltese people's wishes to ban these useless activities - they will stay quiet and do nothing.
Mr Zeppi Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 17:07
Ask your country before if they are willing to do it then if so try to introduce it to Malta..... Do you think Malta is an experiment???
Marco Galea
Oct 5th 2012, 17:14
no Malta is not an example, the example is COsta Rica which just banned hunting
Mr Anthony Formosa
Oct 5th 2012, 16:43
I don't like to see dead or injured birds from BLM. What I want and many others to see, are names of those who abuse and stop accusing everyone. Why we just generalize about hunting, we read daily abuses from all walk of life and remain passive.
G G Debono
Oct 5th 2012, 17:03
Why we just generalize about hunting, we read daily abuses from all walk of life and remain passive.
So Mr Formosa Just because in your imagination "there are abuses from all walks of life" your friends can shoot everything out of the sky.
Nice reasoning.
What a sad place our so-called "hunters" have made Malta.
Michael Camileri
Oct 5th 2012, 17:15
Unfortunately.. hunting 'of this nature' does not seem efficient.. too small with too many people.
there are other types of hunting activity... Fishing... etc
Chris Finch
Oct 5th 2012, 17:37
The tone of your comments has changed of late. Why? Is it because you see the writing on the wall, just like in Costa Rica?
Mr Anthony Formosa
Oct 5th 2012, 18:48
Mr G G Debono because in my imagination I think that it is all well and good for all abuses, and if a bird is shot (if not a pigeon) we start to generate hatred.
Patrick Zahra
Oct 5th 2012, 16:40
If we don't have the resources to stop this slaughter and punish the perpetrators we should call off the hunting season .
Daniel Xriha
Oct 5th 2012, 17:39
And what would you resolve??? do you think that poaching would stop!
Responsible hunters and trappers are the real deterrent against poaching .. and please stop generalising ... poaching and legal hunting/trapping have nothing in common!
Hugh Jampton
Oct 5th 2012, 18:36
Daniel Xriha : Again how do you arrive at this notion ? hunters and poachers are both Maltese with a gun - but one never sees or hears or reports the other, and the organisation of one just mouths words without any tangible action, while the other supposed different invisible/ people/ group shoot anything out of the skies - this has been going on for years without any action to stop it so sorry enough is enough.
“First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, and then you win.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
G G Debono
Oct 5th 2012, 19:20
To ........................Mr Anthony Formosa...............Today, 18:48
Re your reply to me (..........all well and good for all abuses, and if a bird is shot (if not a pigeon) we start to generate hatred......)
Absolutely - as indicated by 95% of the comments here !!! .
Michael Owen
Oct 5th 2012, 16:25
It's like the "Freedom to bare arms" in The U.S. Always someone willing to abuse the law.
Take away the guns, traps, bows and arrows and reduce the killing.
Mr Zeppi Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 16:38
Is is not fair because 3 % of all hunters practise illegal hunting....
Jeremy Azzopardi
Oct 5th 2012, 17:31
Mr Borg, can you provide sources for that percentage?
C Cassar
Oct 5th 2012, 17:37
How did you come up with 3%?
R. Saliba
Oct 5th 2012, 17:45
And how did you come to the conclusion that 3% hunters do so? After all, the hunters' federations always claim that poachers and not hunters break all the rules. One wonders whether they have ever heard hunters chatting between themselves, boasting what they 'caught'.
Mr Zeppi Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 18:12
work out simple maths on how many hunters in Malta vs illegal reported activities..... and you conclude with 3%
R. Saliba
Oct 5th 2012, 18:55
If it is so simple. can you please tell us how you calculated it? Shouldn't take you long. I only have 1 question I would like you to respond to, seeing that you are replying to everyone. You are basing your 3% conclusion on how many hunters in Malta vs illegal reported activities. Can you please tell me what would be the percentage if all the non-reported illegal slaughtering (hate to use the word 'activities' like you did) were taken in your simple math?
Stephen Mangion
Oct 5th 2012, 16:22
Whoever is responsible for this is not to call himself a Maltese like myself. This is atrocious!
alfred seguna
Oct 5th 2012, 16:15
I am sure that FKNK doesn't want this to happen but I am very sorry to say that there are still some irresponsible hunters which are doing harm to the association and most especially to nature.
Mr Zeppi Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 16:24
If the police use their resources well they can easily catch the irresponsible once. It is not fair to stamp all hunters with the same ink.
Twanny Scerri
Oct 5th 2012, 17:33
@ Zeppi Borg
Why should it have to be the Police to catch these people? With all the statements issued by the Hunters Associations saying that they do not want these 'hunters' in their midst, why can't they police their own people? It buggers imagination that none of the other hunters see or hear anything.
Mr Anthony Formosa
Oct 5th 2012, 18:39
Mr Twanny Scerri easy answer, because most if not all are taking place during banned hours when all abiding hunters are locked at home respecting the law.
paul camilleri
Oct 5th 2012, 16:08
This is a shame such beautiful creatures, since i am not a hunter is it possible for Birdlife Malta to donate the dead ones to me so i can get them stuffed and put in a showcase??? at least that way they will retain their beauty instead of getting incinerated??
Chris Finch
Oct 5th 2012, 17:36
If they were to be donated anywhere, surely it's better to the natural history museum?
paul camilleri
Oct 5th 2012, 18:06
@ Chris Finch
I should imagine with all the reports that Birdlife are doing one would imagine they have more than 2 of each spieces available that is why i asked for some.
Matthew Montebello
Oct 5th 2012, 16:07
... stop the killing
Mr Zeppi Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 16:26
they are injured not killed....
Mr Jamie Frendo
Oct 5th 2012, 17:02
But the ones that shot at the birds shot to kill not injure Zepp
Jeff Zammit
Oct 5th 2012, 17:05
@Zeppi So continue shooting birds because they are just injured. Funny.
Patrick Zammit
Oct 5th 2012, 17:38
Zeppi, birds that are shot dead are picked by the hunter who shot them. If injured birds are not picked there and then, they may be picked by other hunters or by somebody else who may or may not pass them on to the proper authorities.
That is why the numerous reports/cases of reported illegal hunting/trapping are just the tip of the iceberg.
Mr Zeppi Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 18:13
No sense of humour as usually proset......
Please choose the reason of your report below: