When heavy storms swept across the Mediterranean this September, the Maltese islands offered a sanctuary for thousands of exhausted migratory birds. As soon as the storms calmed and the skies cleared, it was the perfect moment for birdwatchers to get out and spot rare species that would soon continue their journey. Unfortunately, they were not the only ones waiting and pursuing the beauty of migratory and protected birds. As the birds tried to resume their travel, they were met with lethal gunshots and violence from illegal hunters.
This September will go down in Malta’s history books as “bird fall” month. Hundreds of European Turtle Doves (Streptopelia turtur) were shot even though the hunting season had already been closed. Black Storks (Ciconia nigra), European Rollers (Coracias garrulus), and Common Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) were killed in alarmingly high numbers throughout the last month. An Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo) that had been shot was even found in a school, which highlights the urgent need for hunting buffer zones to protect wildlife and children from illegal hunting activities.
Shot European Turtle Doves, cartridge boxes and cartridges, picture by BirdLife Malta
The past weeks have been a real disaster. Birds were targeted the moment they left protected areas. Environmental police units struggled to cope with the sheer volume of reports of shot birds across the islands. Two units had to be active each morning to address illegal hunting activities.
Although the heavy storms are over now, significant numbers of migratory birds will still pass the Maltese Islands. Nicholas Barbara, Head of Conservation at BirdLife Malta, is concerned, “We know well that given the chance, hunters will keep shooting at Turtle Doves over the coming weeks. Some will keep hunting protected species for illegal trade and taxidermy collections.”
BirdLife Malta expects that heavier storms in the Mediterranean will be more likely in the near future as the effects of climate change intensify. This will also lead to more illegal hunting in the area and therefore requires stronger protection and stricter enforcement of existing laws to protect endangered and migratory species.
BirdLife Malta CEO Mark Sultana said, “What we have witnessed 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. It is unacceptable, and what makes it worse is the deafening silence of our local politicians and the hunting lobby FKNK. Their spineless silence is more deafening than the gunshots that have replaced birdsong in our countryside these past days.”
Despite the horrific scenario that happened in the skies of the Maltese islands, the Maltese government is currently considering proposals to weaken penalties against illegal hunting of protected birds. Hunting in Malta is a regulated activity under the Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations. Yet, over the past years, the law has been amended and weakened repeatedly.
Our Partner, BirdLife Malta, fears that further weakening will only benefit those who already break the law. Their President, Darryl Grima, explained, “A law-abiding hunter has nothing to fear from strong penalties against illegalities. Reducing the consequences for breaking the law will directly benefit those who break, or may break, the law.” Particularly critical is the proposal to reinstate hunting or trapping licences to those individuals who have already lost their licence due to illegal activity.
The recent bird massacre in Malta is an urgent reminder that laws on hunting protected species should be reinforced and not weakened. Birds, and especially migratory birds, are already in severe decline due to climate change, pesticides, fewer nesting opportunities and other factors; illegal hunting should not be one of them.
Cover picture: European Roller that was shot in flight, by BirdLife Malta
