BirdLife appeals to MPs for enforcement after record-breaking illegalities

78 protected birds have been shot down in 2018, the NGO said

8 October 2018, 7:31pm
by David Hudson

1 min read

PN leader Adrian Delia was one of the MPs who were handed a factsheet as they walked into the House

Representatives from BirdLife Malta stood outside Parliament on Monday night and presented MPs walking in ahead of the day’s session with a factsheet listing the illegalities that occurred during the current hunting season.

The NGO appealed to authorities to confront the illegalities, which have been on the increase this year, with a record-breaking 78 downed protected birds registered in 2018.

BirdLife’s demonstration was prompted by the 34th illegally shot protected bird of this autumn hunting season, which begain on the 1 September. The bird in particular was the Honey Buzzard (Kuċċarda). “An X-ray revealed over 15 lead pellets inside its body,” BirdLife said.

Before the season started, BirdLife Malta had appealed to the government to postpone the season by a month. The government did not accede to this request.   

Members of BirdLife, including CEO Mark Sultana, stood outside the Parliament building earlier today holding posters accusing the government of fearing lawbreaking hunters. It passed out flyers to MPs and appealed for urgent action.

David Hudson is an IGM press awards (Investigative stories) winner of 2019