Photo: DOIVarious species of wild birds shot down over Malta in their migratory flight were yesterday released after being rehabilitated by the Government Veterinary Services.
Fifteen birds were successfully treated including a honey buzzard, marsh harriers, common kestrels, short-eared owls, a hobby, turtle doves, a collared dove and a yellow-legged gull. Most are expected to proceed on their annual migration south to the African continent.
Each year, about 100 wild birds recovered by NGOs and members of the public require some form of veterinary intervention.
Gabriella Fumia, who oversees treatment and rehabilitation of wild birds at the government’s facility in Luqa, said that about two-thirds of all birds they received were successfully treated and rehabilitated.