[Watch] SHout says hunters are hiding behind ‘mask’ campaign

Spring Hunting Out (SHout) calls for more tolerance and control

The Yes campaign is just a mask that the hunting community is trying to hide behind, SHout spokesperson Mark Sultana said while outlining the long history of criminal violence and illegal killing at the Buskett nature reserve.

Addressing a press conference at Buskett – Malta’s first nature reserve – Sultana explained that in September, a group of some 30 hunters attacked BirdLife birdwatchers after the prime minister had banned the autumn hunting season.

“Thirteen people, including a seven year old child were attacked by a mob of 30 hunters. Stones were thrown, a camera was broken and an elderly man sustained a broken jaw,” he said.

Sultana explained that rather than condemning the protest, hunters’ lobby FKNK said “it understands that the Maltese hunters’ federation at being prevented from practising their hunting passions.”

“This is the true face of FKNK. They effectively condone violence and they are bullies who have used intimidation to get their way for too long.  No one should believe the faces and image of the IVA campaign.  It is just a mask that the hunting community is trying to hide behind.”

Sultana also explained that prior to the attack, several hunters took party in an illegal protest in Valletta. The protest – which took place on the occasion of Malta’s Independence Day celebrations - saw hunters hurl insults at the government and Joseph Muscat, while 10 people were subsequently charged in court for their involvement in the protest.

Outlining crimes by hunters against birds and BirdLife members, SHout activists urged the public not to forget the “long history of criminal violence,” incidents of illegal killing, intimidation and assault.

He said that on February 17, 2008, also in Buskett, there had been an arson attack on three birdwatchers’ cars. He said that although Buskett was a bird sanctuary where hunting was prohibited, hunters still shot birds there.

He said Buskett was the location of a massacre where rare eagles were massacred in 2013.

“The eagle massacre in 2013 is one of many incidents of illegal killing of birds carried out by hunters under the cover of the official hunting season.  Voting ‘No’ in the referendum will make sure that this cannot happen in spring in future.”