Two illegally-shot turtle dove birds were recovered by Birdlife Malta this week, showing that hunters were still shooting at the species despite the fact it is now listed among the protected species. 

With these two latest illegal hunting casualties, the total of known illegally shot protected birds for 2019 now stands at 26, BLM said in a statement.

On Wednesday, a turtle dove being shot was seen by a woman who was walking with her children in Madliena.

A day later, a shot turtle dove was picked up from land at Miżieb, managed by the hunters' federation. 

BirdLife Malta said it agreed with the Committee Against Bird Slaughter that turtle doves bred in captivity should have a closed ring. Since this bird is also a huntable species in autumn, the law does not punish anyone found in possession of live turtle doves.

"Those trapping hundreds, if not thousands, of this vulnerable species are using this legal loophole and the only way to control this abuse is by changing the law accordingly to have breeders place closed rings on the young."