The police have arrested three men in connection with their investigation into the shooting of a flamingo at Salina Bay last night.

The crime has been condemned by the hunters' federation, BirdLife Malta and parliamentary secretary for animal rights, among others.

The bird has not been found yet, however eyewitness reports led the police to an SUV where feathers of the bird were found. A number of properties have been searched.

Two eyewitnesses who spoke to timesofmalta.com said they had heard shooting at about midnight. A young man was then seen splashing in the water and carrying the flamingo.

The Flamingo seen yesterday. Picture by Kevin - mynews@timesofmalta.com

The flamingo was placed on the ground, an SUV drove up and the bird was then put into it. The vehicle was driven away at high speed.

 Blood and several flamingo feathers could be seen on the scene.

The vehicle was traced to Burmarrad this morning and the police found flamingo feathers in it.

The police found the remains of other protected birds in a residence.

The flamingo landed at the Salina salt pans yesterday morning. Its arrival was announced by Birdlife. The police mounted a guard. The bird flew away at about 8.45 p.m. Officers stayed on the scene but left when the bird did not return after about an hour.

Later the police received reports that the bird had returned and been shot at.

Four witnesses have spoken to the police. Investigations are continuing.  

In a statement in the afternoon, Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Rights Roderick Galdes condemned the "barbaric killing" of the flamingo "without reservations".

BIRDLIFE THANKS PUBLIC AND POLICE

In a statement, BirdLife thanked the public for their help in monitoring the Salina saltpans yesterday evening.

“Without the help of several local residents living next to the saltpans, who were watching the area where the flamingo was last seen, vital evidence about the culprits may not have been available to the police,” Steve Micklewright, BirdLife Malta’s executive director said.

BirdLife also praised the police response to the incident. It called on anyone who may have more information relating to the case to report the information to the investigating police.

FKNK SAYS IT IS TIME THAT SERIOUS ACTION IS TAKEN BY THE COURTS

The hunters’ federation said that it would immediately suspend the person who allegedly shot at the flamingo if the person was its member. It would completely cancel the person's membership once a final decision was taken by the courts.

The organisation said it was time that serious action was taken by the courts.

“Whilst the courts have already stepped up punishments meted out in recent cases, and the FKNK also cancelled the membership of the persons in question, the persistence of the remaining handful of poachers must understand that they have no further shelter anywhere in civilised society.”

The FKNK said this incident came at a time when FKNK officials were in the Salina area to admire the bird and other members were on guard and took its pictures.

FKNK officials were in liaison with the Ornis Committee chairman to assist in the guarding process.

“These incidents that involve the use of a shotgun and that are somehow linked with hunting have created, over the years, one of the highest anti-hunting profiles within the view of the general public.

“These criminal acts have absolutely nothing to do with hunting and the legal hunting community abhors any such acts and consequent comparison.”

FKNK said that it cancelled the membership of Carl Borg from Mellieha who last week was convicted of firing his shotgun inside a nature reserve.

“The Commissioner of Police has been informed of this cancellation, since no-one can have a hunting licence without such membership.”