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It may be closed season for hunting but the legal provisions did not prevent unscrupulous hunters from gunning down a large wading bird that was on its migratory route from northern Europe to Africa.
The wading bird, a Eurasian Curlew, was found injured with multiple gunshot wounds by a member of the public in the whereabouts of l-Ahrax tal-Mellieha.
Birdlife said in a statement that the bird had wounds in its breast and neck and even had part of the bill shot off. Efforts to save the bird proved fruitless and the bird eventually succumbed to the injuries.
Birdlife Malta called upon the authorities to step up their efforts and resources against illegal hunting as the autumn migration starts to unfold slowly.
The Eurasian Curlew is a large wading bird with a wingspan of about 80cm. At this time of year they start their migration south from breeding quarters in northern Europe as far as Scandinavia to the African wintering grounds.
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