Three men were arrested in relation to the slaying of a flamingo on Saturday evening in the area known as Tal-Fessej in Xewkija.

Then, the police were informed that a bird fitting the description of one of two flamingos seen earlier was shot by hunters and recovered at sea by a hunting dog.

Despite several extensive patrols in the area, there was no sign of the flamingo or the hunters.

But yesterday three men - aged 66, 37 and 23 who live in Nadur, Għajnsielem and Żebbuġ, Gozo, respectively, were arrested following further investigation by the Gozitan Criminal Investigation Department.

Although the super-protected bird has not yet been found, evidence was found that may link the suspects to its slaying.