Two hunters were yesterday jailed by a court over the shooting of a flamingo at the Salini reserve three years ago, in a case which had raised a public outcry against illegal hunting.

Justin Attard, 26, and Cliff Borg, 32, were sentenced to two years in prison and fined €9,000 each by Magistrate Antonio Vella. The two men also had their hunting licence revoked for life.

A Salina resident testified that he had spotted a man peering out near a gate on the Coast Road soon after having heard a gunshot and then a loud splash.

From the balcony of his nearby apartment, the witness saw a white Mitsubishi Pajero driving up and down the road.

DNA tests showed that they all came from the same flamingo

Court expert Marisa Cassar testified that a feather found in the vehicle, which belonged to Mr Attard, and another feather found near the Salini gate were from the same bird.

Stanley Gatt, another court-appointed expert, examined feathers found at Wied Annotta where the car had been found abandoned by the police and other specimens elevated from near the Coast Road gate. DNA tests showed that they all came from the same flamingo.

Searches were carried out in the houses of the accused and 11 protected stuffed birds were found, including one which had been freshly done. A photo of the flamingo was also found on Mr Borg’s mobile phone which had been taken in his kitchen.