German bird conservationists have lamented the removal of experienced police officers from the unit that enforces hunting regulations.
CABS, a German bird protection group, said yesterday it confirmed reports about “a massive turnover and forced transfer” of experienced officers in the police administrative law enforcement (ALE) section.
It is hard to believe this is just a coincidence
The Sunday Times of Malta had reported that the unit was stripped of its experience in handling wildlife crime after eight officers were transferred to police stations over the past year. Half of the officers had more than a decade of experience in the field.
“Their experience and know-how to bring poachers to justice will be missed this season. It is hard to believe that this is just a coincidence,” CABS president Heinz Schwarze said, as the autumn season is in full swing.
The group said many improvements for the benefit of birds had been made over the past two decades but were being reversed by the current government.
“Since it took over, many achievements such as the afternoon hunting curfew and the ban on finch trapping have been lifted,” Mr Schwarze said.
CABS said it would hold a large bird protection camp against illegal hunting and bird trapping between tomorrow and October 5.
The activity will coincide with the autumn migration season, particularly the peak period for raptors.
A total of 18 experienced birdwatchers and activists from the UK, Italy, France, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands will join Maltese birdwatchers at the camp that is named after ornithologist Natalino Fenech’s 1992 book Fatal Flight.
CABS said the autumn migration had already begun, reporting a good number of marsh harriers, falcons and the first flocks of herons and honey buzzards flying over Malta.
Group members yesterday spotted an illegal trapping site for finches near Buskett, a protected site, and alerted the authorities.
A joint police-army patrol arrived at the scene and caught the trapper who is expected to be taken to court soon.