BirdLife urges Muscat to close hunting season if protected birds are shot

BirdLife CEO Mark Sultana calls on Prime Minister to adopt a zero tolerance policy towards illegal hunting when the season opens 

BirdLife Malta has called on Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to close the spring hunting season should illegalities take place.

“You prematurely closed the season last year after a protected bird was shot,” BirdLife chief executive Mark Sultana wrote in an open letter to Muscat. “That was a clear and good decision that sent a direct message about the government’s zero tolerance policy on the illegal hunting of protected birds.

“Should illegalities take place this season, the government should close the hunting season once again.”

Sultana warned that hunters have already targeted protected birds during the past week.

“This does not augur well when in a few days’ time, around 10,000 individuals carrying shotguns will be roaming the countryside.”   

The spring hunting season for turtle dove and quail will open between April 17 and April 30, despite the fact that the International Union  for the Conservation of Nature has listed the former bird as a protected species.