6 June 2007 Rating 147% No Comment  

Last week a shot and mutilated Honey Buzzard was taken to the BirdLife office, the conservation organisation has announced. The bird was first shot in the wing and then all of its wing feathers were chopped off. BirdLife also stated that despite the closure of the spring hunting season three weeks ago, reports of illegal hunting and shot protected species continued to flood in to the BirdLife Malta office. Last Thursday a concerned citizen who found the Honey Buzzard in Zabbar took the mutilated bird to the BirdLife office. The bird had recent gunshot wounds to one wing. Also, the primary and secondary feathers were hacked off probably by scissors, making it impossible for the bird to fly. BirdLife Malta Conservation Manager Dr Andre Raine said, "This mutilation really shows the mentality of some of the so-called hunters out there and the complete lack of compassion they have for wildlife. Not only have they shot a protected bird of prey, but they have mutilated it beyond any hope of recovery. It is a particularly sadistic final act to do to an injured and defenceless bird". This is not the first time this spring that mutilated birds have been delivered to BirdLife. In two separate incidents, both of which were detailed in a recent BirdLife Malta report on illegal hunting in the 2007 spring hunting season, two Common Kestrels were found in a similar state. Both birds had been shot in their wings and then the flight feathers had been crudely hacked off with scissors. In another recent case, a Marsh Harrier was also brought in to the BirdLife office after the closure of the hunting season. The Marsh Harrier, an adult female found in Benghajsa, had gunshot wounds in both wings and had to be euthanized by a veterinarian. BirdLife said that since the season ended on the 10th of May this year, 51 incidents of illegal hunting were reported directly to the organisation from reliable sources. Many of these cases involved hunters shooting on a daily basis despite the closure of the hunting season and several involved hunters shooting at protected species. "There is a clear need for increased government support for the law enforcement units. Illegal hunting is not only a problem during spring but also during the autumn migration of these wild birds. Before the autumn hunting season opens in September, the ALE should be provided with the necessary legal instruments as well as increased resources to allow them to clamp down on illegal hunting." concluded Dr. Raine. For more information please contact Dr. Andre Raine, BirdLife Malta Conservation Manager on + 356 21 347 644-5 andre.raine@birdlifemalta.org www.birdlifemalta.org