Moviment Graffitti condemned the use of aviaries to trap turtle doves as this would give wider opportunities for hunters to seize these endangered species. In Malta, the period of non-captivity is very limited. These silent killers could be employed during the close season and reduce the hunters’ risks of being caught. There are already numerous sporadic irregularities regarding protected species, the movement said in a statement.

Earlier this year a broad range of legally protected birds were caught. This innovative way of killing would simply worsen the turtle doves’ vulnerable situation as well as interfering with their establishment as breeding birds. We cannot put environment on our agenda and keep on allowing these horrendous happenings, the movement added. Various organisations including Moviment Graffitti are doing their utmost to safeguard the continuous decline of protected species while hunters are determined to strip our nature’s beauty and deny thousands the right to see birds flying and breeding freely in the countryside.

One cannot continue hunting if the population of birds is not looked after. It is not acceptable. Furthermore this will keep away tourists which are extremely important for our economic system.

Moviment Graffitti appealed to the ALE personnel and the police force to inspect the sites where hunters have constructed these aviaries and the Rural Affairs and the Environment Ministry to make this type of hunting illegal.