Several dilapidated trapping and hunting structures have been removed from the Il-Majjistral nature park between Manikata and Golden Bay.

The Environment Ministry said the operation was carried out by the Wild Birds Regulation Unit in collaboration with the park’s management, the planning authority and the hunting federation.

Environment Minister Leo Brincat said this was an example of cooperation between hunters and conservationists towards the conservation of biodiversity in a non-confrontational manner.

Steve Micklewright, executive director of the NGO Birdlife, said removing illegal hunting and trapping structures from public land should be a top priority for the environment directorates.

“But this does not excuse plans to reintroduce environmentally damaging practices like finch trapping,” he added.

Mr Micklewright accused the government of “disingenuous spin” when it tried to capitalise on the fact NGOs were given permission “to try to undo some of the damage done” by decades of hunting and trapping while claiming that plans to reintroduce finch trapping were somehow supporting conservation efforts.