Enforcement of hunting laws falling short of government promises - Birdlife

Birdlife Malta said today that in the first week of Raptor Camp it had not seen the increased policing in the countryside promised by the government at the beginning of the month and illegal hunters continued to get away with shooting protected birds. “We have seen this week that when police have a visible presence hunters are deterred from committing illegalities,” said Raptor Camp coordinator, Christian Debono, “but as soon as patrols are absent, so is the incentive for hunters to exercise self-control and refrain from shooting at protected birds.” BirdLife said that numbers of raptors migrating through Malta this week had been relatively low due to a strong north-westerly Mistral wind, but it was still seeing and receiving reports from members of public of other protected birds, such as Bee-eaters and swallows, being targeted, and had recovered several shot protected birds, including Honey Buzzards, Marsh Harriers and Night Herons. "While birdwatchers and Raptor Camp volunteers have noted the presence of mounted police in the Buskett area and the secondment of Armed Forces of Malta personnel and vehicles to form units with Administrative Law Enforcement officers, the number of...