BirdLife calls for an end to the “rabbit hunting” loophole
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With the rabbit hunting season due to start tomorrow (1st of June), BirdLife Malta has said that it has urged the government not to issue any more rabbit hunting licenses as the number of licensed rabbit hunters has soared by over 20% in the last 15 months, coinciding exactly with the first ban on spring hunting in 2008.
The conservation organisation highlighted that every year it documents numerous instances of illegal hunting targeting Malta’s rare breeding birds once the rabbit hunting season opens on 1 June. Furthermore, the Police Commissioner has also started allowing the use of airguns to hunt rabbits, making it even harder for law enforcement officers to catch poachers targeting wild birds who use the rabbit hunting season as a loophole.
The problem is further exacerbated by the fact that from June onwards the ALE are no longer focused on hunting and trapping incidents, and instead are put on other duties such as beach patrols, BirdLife stated.
“Since the ban on spring hunting, ornithologists have recorded species such as Turtle Dove and Common Kestrel remaining in Malta after the migration period has ended, carrying out breeding displays and pairing up in preparation for breeding. However, as we saw in 2008, as soon as the rabbit hunting season opens up these birds disappear one by one.” stated Dr André Raine, BirdLife Malta’s Conservation Manager.
“It is utterly irresponsible to allow such a blatant loophole, especially after so much time and effort has been put into ensuring that these birds survive the depredations of illegal hunting during the vulnerable spring period.” continued Dr. Raine.
As confirmed by MEPA, the ultimate responsibility regarding rabbit hunting licenses and legislation falls under the remit of the Office of the Prime Minister. BirdLife Malta therefore called for a serious review by the government of the current legislation on rabbit hunting and repeated its call for the Prime Minister to set up a wild life crime unit that concentrates on environmental crimes throughout the year.
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