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Malta has been shamed yet again by its illegal bird hunters
who have blasted a number of spoonbills this week which were passing through
the islands on migration from Europe to Africa.
A flock of 22 spoonbills were observed roosting in the north of Malta, but
horrified birdwatchers scanning the flock the following morning observed that
three of the birds had blood-soaked feathers on their all-white plumage after
being shot by illegal hunters. Of the original 22 birds, only nine have
continued their journey to Africa, while five have remained at a nature
reserve, including the three injured birds. Two of the injured birds have now
been taken into care by the authorities.
The RSPB’s Grahame Madge who has witnessed the horrors of illegal hunting in
Malta, said: "The spoonbill is a conservation icon across Europe. This year in
the UK, the spoonbill has enjoyed its best year for several centuries with 10
young being reared. However, it appears that Maltese hunters have killed or
injured more spoonbills than this in one night's orgy of slaughter."
Currently, the RSPB's partner in the islands - BirdLife Malta - is dealing
with a high level of incidents of protected birds of prey being shot and
targeted.
“The targeting of protected birds during the night invariably takes place
every time rare species roost in the islands.” said Dr Andre Raine, BirdLife
Malta Conservation Manager. “This is clear indication of just how ridiculous
the illegal hunting situation in Malta is, and it is about time that the
government accepts the situation for what it is – a serious international
conservation problem.” |
