BirdLife Malta has insisted that two hunters photographed from the Ghadira Nature Reserve visitor centre were within the confines of the reserve, and not outside, as claimed by the hunters' federation.

“The photographs were taken from the visitor center inside Għadira Nature Reserve and clearly show the two men between the electricity pylon and Mellieha Holiday Center hunting illegally in an area where hunting is banned,” it said.

"This incident again took place at 1pm, during the ALE shift change, suggesting that the men knew exactly what they were doing and that there would be no enforcement officers patrolling the area."

The Għadira Bird Sanctuary extends from Għadira Bay in the east to the desalination plant in the west and up the hill towards the St Agatha's Tower, and forms a protective no-hunting zone around the Nature Reserve, which is an internationally important wetland containing some of Malta last remaining salt-marsh habitat, the society said.

BirdLife said that this incident again raised questions about the hunting federation’s claims of zero-tolerance towards illegal hunting.