[WATCH] BirdLife Malta calls on hunters to ‘join forces’ to protect birds

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BirdLife Malta has called on the hunters’ federation to join forces to protect birds and to “put the past behind them”.

Referring to the 12 mute swans currently sheltering in Marsalforn Valley in Gozo, BirdLife Malta said that the birds’ visit has showed that the majority of the Maltese and Gozitans appreciate nature and want to enjoy it without harming it, including those who normally hunt.

“This can only bode well for the common good of the country. Whilst it is only natural that people want to feed the swans, BirdLife Malta also wanted to highlight the risks that this imposes and that white bread should be avoided as much as possible,” BirdLife Malta said.

Last Saturday, BirdLife Malta said that public access to the swans had been restricted in order to protect the birds’ health, while warning the public against feeding them bread as it can prove very dangerous.

A hunter and a BirdLife Malta volunteer feeding are seen feeding the swans (Photo: BirdLife Malta)

On Monday, Saint Hubert Hunters criticised BirdLife Malta, calling their actions “extremist alarmism and protectionism,” while making reference to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) which states: “Many people like feeding bread to swans and while this is unlikely to do them any real harm in the long term, it is no substitute for the proper diet that the birds themselves will seek out.”

Saint Hubert Hunter said that this statement was a far cry from Birdlife Malta’s “publicity stunt given the full support of the Wild Birds Regulation Unit (WBRU).”

“Malta’s swans need a police escort and their temporary roost made inaccessible to anyone wanting to enjoy them closely. It is commonplace for swans to interact and be fed by the public yet, though to the Maltese public this is a rarity, it has now even been officially banned,” the hunters said.

BirdLife Malta said that a protocol of feeding has been established for the swans, with the help of veterinarians from WBRU

“In the short term, anyone feeding these birds bread or any other suitable food is definitely the only reason for their remaining here until BirdLife Malta realised their obligation of doing something for Malta’s birds. Had this not been the case they would have definitely died of starvation,” they added.

In their statement today, BirdLife Malta said that a protocol of feeding has been established for the swans, with the help of veterinarians from WBRU. “Eventually the feeding quantities will start being reduced in order to stimulate the birds to seek other feeding quarters and possibly continue with their migration. This intervention is only needed because our islands do not offer the ideal habitat for such birds,” BirdLife said.

The eNGO also rebutted the hunters’ claims about their “belated involvement four days after the birds’ appearance in Gozo”, saying that it was on site the first day the birds landed.