23 February 2008 Rating 30% No Comment  

Two billboards featuring Maltese personalities appealing to Dr. Gonzi and Dr. Sant to stop illegal spring hunting have been vandalised. The vandalised billboards, which form part of the latest action in BirdLife Malta's campaign with the participation of 13 distinct individuals, are on the Coast Road and on the road from Targa Gap to Rabat. Graffiti has been sprayed onto the Rabat billboard, including the words "Drogi Drug Dealerrs [sic.]" and the poster was torn slightly in one place. On the other hand, the Coast Road billboard has been torn profusely so that in fact, only two of the faces of the four individuals depicted are still visible. BirdLife's campaign appeals to Government and Opposition to directly stop spring hunting once and for all, and to not put the weight of the decision on the European Commission and Court of Justice. Commenting on the spate of vandal attacks that have seen BirdLife as the target over the past year, the organisation recalled the attack on the Ghadira reserve, at the EU LIFE project site, at the FORESTA 2000 site, and finally the arson attack in Buskett which one week ago destroyed three cars belonging to BirdLife volunteers. "We once again urge the political parties to take a strong stand against these illegal activities that our organisation has long been subject to. To date, not a single person has been brought to justice and this is sending a very dangerous message. BirdLife is committed to its work for the conservation of our natural habitat and will not be silenced by these criminal acts or threats," Tolga Temuge Executive Director of Birdlife Malta said.