Little Egrets targeted by hunters in Gozo

Two dead Little Egrets picked up by the Armed Forces of Malta on Saturday afternoon

Two dead Little Egrets picked in Gozo up by the Armed Foces of Malta
Two dead Little Egrets picked in Gozo up by the Armed Foces of Malta

A flock of protected Little Egrets came under fire on Saturday as it passed over Gozo, facing shots coming from the cliffs in the limits of Nadur.  Little Egrets have been reported breeding once in Malta.

Two dead Little Egrets were picked up by the Armed Forces of Malta yesterday.  The hunting season opened today, with fears that hunters will shoot freely at migrating protected birds of prey.

The hunting and trapping season opened today with more concessions for the hunting community.

Yesterday MaltaToday revealed that a private company, Ecoserv, have been contracted to carry out a study on the numbers of turtle dove and quail during the hunting season, which extends until the end of October.  The tender amounts to €116,000 for just two months of  birdwatching.  Birdlife has boycotted the study and it is not known who will be carrying out the study.

The Little Egret shootings as well as those of other protected species highlights the indiscriminate shooting that take place. 

Yesterday The Malta Independent showed the presence of new trapping sites in the Wardija area in Gozo as the Muscat administration has now sanctioned and reintroduced trapping in autumn.