[WATCH] Vote against spring hunting to reclaim countryside

Video is unavailable at this time.

TV presenter Frank Zammit and swimmer Edward Caruana Dingli today met SHout spokesperson Mark Sultana at the Foresta 2000 reserve in Mellieha to denounce the vandalism perpetrated by hunters in the area.

The reserve is administered by BirdLife, Din l-Art Helwa and PARCS, who have been accused by critics from the hunting fraternity of appropriating the land for their own interests.

“Hunters are being hypocritical when they talk about vandalism when it is the hunters themselves who have been found guilty in court of having cut down 100 trees planted by the public in the Mellieha reserve, as well as of having hunted illegally here in the Spring,” Sultana said.

“This reserve was created by the public, the government and environmental NGOs as a millennium gift to the Maltese people. Yet it has been the subject of various acts of vandalism instigated by hunters, with felled and burnt trees. The reserve’s guard was even shot at, and his shed was set on fire. Hunters were also apprehended here in this reserve,” he added.

Sultana said the reserve was open to the public, including those who need wheelchair access, seven days a week.

PBS presenter Frank Zammit said that over 20,000 trees had been planted in the reserve, and that the public was entitled to enjoy full access to the area. “After every attack on this place, the public always did its best to safeguard the place. Thousands did their bit to replant some 300 trees and saplings that were found uprooted. Now is the time to join together and vote no for spring hunting in on 11 April.”

Swimmer Edward Caruana Dingli said that almost 80% of the countryside was occupied by hunters in the spring. “Natural reserves like these are important zones where hunting cannot take place, and where birds can nest in spring, and for us to relax in. A not vote against spring hunting will allow more zones like these to be enjoyed.”