Bird rehabilitation and re-introduction centres to open in Buskett

Two farmhouses in Buskett are to be changed into bird rehabilitation and re-introduction centres in the coming months, according to parliamentary secretary for agriculture Roderick Galdes, who visited the area earlier today.

The historical buildings, Tal- Bosk and Tal- Baghal, are to be given to Birdlife and FKNK respectively, for their projects.

Birdlife will be running a centre for the rehabilitation of injured birds, which will be the first of its kind in Malta.

“The project aims to make the practise of putting down birds that are slightly injured obsolete, and it will also be used as a birdwatching and research centre,” Galdes said.

“We welcome the government’s commitment to bird rehabilitation in Malta, recognising the need for a well-equipped centre to care for the many birds that are injured over our islands," said BirdLife Malta President Geoffrey Saliba.
 
"Previously, birds requiring specialist care had to be sent to a rehabilitation centre in Sicily. Now, thanks to this centre, we will have the facilities required to carry out this important work here on Malta, allowing birds to rest and recover in the hands of professionals."

"This will greatly improve their chances of surviving to be released back into the wild. We will be working hard over the coming months to try to ensure that this centre is fully-equipped and ready before the autumn migration season,” Saliba added.
 
In a statement BridLife Malta also explained that the building, a restored farmhouse in Buskett Gardens, was renovated by the government and provided rent-free to BirdLife Malta who will be running the facility.

"The bird rehabilitation centre will be run by trained staff and will house specially designed areas for injured birds to recover before being released back to the wild. There will also be a small visitor and education centre which will be open to the public," the statement reads.
 
It also explained that annual costs for equipment, food and medicine are estimated at €30,000 per year, and that BirdLife Malta welcomes donations to help with the rescue and rehabilitation of injured birds.

Speaking about Tal- Baghal, Galdes explained that the FKNK would be running a largely scientific and research based centre.

“The building will aim to push for conservation and to reintroduce the owl into the Maltese countryside, following years of extinction,” he said.

He added that the centre would also serve as a bird watching and astronomy research centre, as well as an interpretation centre for the rural heritage of Buskett and its surroundings.

During the visit, it was also explained that the building would also house a museum about the history of hunting and trapping on the island.