WATCH | Rare and protected Black Storks shot down

Two rare and strictly protected Black Storks were recorded in Malta on Monday afternoon after seeking refuge in the Buskett area following adverse weather conditions that brought an influx of migratory birds to the islands.

Birdwatchers observing and filming the birds reported that one of the storks was shot at Xagħra tal-Isqof, on the outskirts of Buskett. The second bird is also believed to have been killed between Monday night and Tuesday morning.

The Black Stork is an uncommon visitor to Malta and is protected under Maltese law. The species is also listed under Annex I of the European Union Birds Directive and Annex A of the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations, which afford it the highest level of legal protection.

The arrival of the storks coincided with a wave of migratory birds reaching Malta after storms on Sunday, which resulted in significant numbers of different species seeking shelter on the islands.

Despite the species’ protected status, conservationists say Black Storks remain highly prized on the illegal wildlife market and are sought after for private taxidermy collections. BirdLife Malta has argued that past amnesties on mounted specimens, introduced in 1996 and 2003, as well as regulations permitting the transfer of bird carcasses, have contributed to demand and created opportunities for illegally obtained specimens to enter collections.

BirdLife Malta Head of Conservation Nicholas Barbara said protected species such as Black Storks are often targeted before they even arrive in Malta.

“Birds like these protected Black Storks are already condemned before they appear, and there is absolutely no political will to change the situation,” Barbara said. “Besides being wanted for unchecked taxidermy collections, we have a situation where thousands of hunters are out and poorly policed.”

BirdLife Malta Chief Executive Mark Sultana described recent events as “nothing less than a massacre of protected birds”, referring to reports of widespread illegal hunting activity in recent days.

“What we have witnessed in the past days is nothing less than a massacre of protected birds, a frenzy of indiscriminate hunting that has even left a woman injured while walking her dog,” Sultana said. “It is unacceptable, and what makes it worse is the deafening silence of our local politicians and the hunting lobby FKNK.”

Sultana added that failing to address illegal hunting amounted to “a complete failure to stand up for the law, for public safety, and for our natural heritage”.

BirdLife Malta appealed to the public to remain vigilant and report suspected illegal hunting incidents to the Police on 119 or to the organisation on 2134 7645.

Anyone with information regarding the fate of the second Black Stork is also being asked to come forward.