Trappers used chlorine-based chemicals to destroy a protected stretch of garigue landscape and make way for nets and limestone hunting hides, the Committee Against Bird Slaughter told Times of Malta.

A CABS spokeswoman said the trappers had devastated the rare habitat near Dwejra by dumping a large tub of chlorine-based disinfectant, dairy hypochlorite, normally used to clean milking stations in industrial dairy farms.

Destroyed protected garigue fields. Photos: Committee Against Bird Slaughter

The trappers, she said, then ploughed the patch of rare habitat before spreading construction sand and chunky gravel. The site was set up with a large clap net and limestone hide, all of which was done at least two months before the government reopened the autumn trapping season in October. It had been stopped in 2008.

A police report was filed, however, questions sent late yesterday were still unanswered at the time of writing.

Malta is now facing legal action by the European Commission, which had warned the government not to reopen the season last October. Last November, Times of Malta reported that about 300 active bird trapping sites had been spotted in protected coastline habitats, most of which were designated Natura 2000 sites.

Aerial surveys conducted by CABS showed a minimum of 290 sites were being used in land that was meant to be protected. It was not known how many of the sites had been passed down over the generations, and so granted legal status, and how many were relatively new, thus making them illegal.

The CABS spokeswoman said that closer examination of the aerial photos, compared to previous years, showed that at least 61 of the sites highlighted in the study had been set up over the past few months, prompted by the reopening of the season. Another 20 had also been spotted during field inspections.

Often, trapping sites cover a massive area with one net lined up directly next to another

“Often, trapping sites cover a massive area with one net lined up directly next to another to ensure total capture of flocks. The birds are being attracted by artificially made ponds, live and plastic decoys and often deafeningly loud, illegal electronic bird callers,” she added.

This, she said, directly contradicted the government’s “no tolerance” pledge made prior to the reopening of the season.

The spokeswoman said CABS volunteers had repeatedly experienced difficulty getting in touch with police Administrative Law Enforcement officers when trying to report illegalities. Although at least two officers should be available at night, she said she had repeatedly been told by police headquarters that no ALE policemen were on duty when trying to make a report.

Officers were also difficult to contact during the day because most of the time the officers were either out at sea or on festa duty.