District police failed to take any action against those illegally trapping golden plovers at night, even though 14 reports have been made to the police since last month, the Committee Against Bird Slaughter, CABS, said.
Of the 14 cases reported, the committee said charges were only issued in one instance after the Administrative Law Enforcement (ALE), visited a site reported by CABS the previous night.
“The problem is that the ALE, who normally deal with trapping cases, are only very rarely on duty during the night and the local police feel that they are not responsible,” CABS wildlife crime officer Fiona Burrows said in a statement.
CABS contacted the Wild Birds Regulation Unit (WBRU) highlighting the lack of support and was told that permanent night operations of the ALE – which supports the operations of district police officers in fighting environmental crime – were not feasible due to the costs and logistics that would involve.
The officer on the phone told the volunteers that they had instructions not to go
The committee said it had reported two trapping sites in Siġġiewi and Sta Luċija on two separate nights, and was informed that they were understaffed and underequipped each time.
“On several occasions the police also claimed that it was not their job to enforce trapping regulations and in one case, on November 30, the officer on the phone told the volunteers that they had instructions ‘not to go’,” CABS said.
CABS went on to say that one trapping site at Delimara was reported to the police on four separate occasions: on November 13, 15, 18 and 30.
No police officers showed up on any of the four occasions, and when they enquired further, CABS was informed by officers on the phone that they were instructed not to go to the reported site.
“What we have observed is close to anarchy. Plovers are trapped illegally every night and in every part of the island. Most trappers use electronic bird callers, blatantly marking the areas where illegal trapping takes places with impunity,” Ms Burrows said.
Reacting to the claims by CABS, the WBRU said there had been no indication that any rampant illegal trapping at night had been taking place.
“The enforcement situation this year is better than that of previous years as trappers have become more aware of the regulations and penalties for offences are very high,” a spokesman for the WBRU said.
The unit’s spokesman said that the police are operating effectively and a permanent ALE presence at night was unnecessary.
“Nonetheless, on specific occasions, the ALE have conducted night patrols, including in response to reports of alleged illegalities lodged by CABS volunteers.”