Two wild birds of prey that were illegally kept in captivity in terrible conditions were handed over to Birdlife Malta over the past few weeks.

An independent vet confirmed that a kestrel had an old, poorlyhealed gunshot injury to its wing that made the bird incapable of flying.

Furthermore, its wing feathers were crudely hacked off and the bird was suffering abrasions to its forehead and wings.

A short-eared owl was in such bad condition that its wing and tail feathers were worn down to half their normal length because of its closed confinement.

The bird's legs were covered in burns, caused by standing for prolonged periods of time in its own faeces. The bird was emaciated and starving when found.

Andre Raine, Birdlife's conservation manager, said it was a very sad fate for such majestic birds: "The people behind this act are not only breaking the law by keeping protected birds in captivity, but are also torturing these animals by chopping off their feathers and keeping them in such terrible conditions. These birds should be soaring free in the sky but instead end up starving and mutilated."

The owl was delivered to Birdlife after being dumped in the countryside and found by a farmer in a field in Siggiewi. In a separate incident, the police contacted Birdlife about a Kestrel which was found by person in Rabat.

The environmental organisation reported both cases to the Office of the Prime Minister and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. The birds are being rehabilitated.