A Foresta 2000 ranger who happens to be a long-time member of BirdLife Malta (BLM), had to have a lead pellet removed from his nose after he was shot while tending to his own field in Mellieha on Monday afternoon, BLM said in a statement yesterday.
A BLM spokesman told The Malta Independent that the ranger, Ray Vella, was not wearing anything that showed he was in any way associated with the conservation organisation, but it was clear that the hunter knew who he was.
Mr Vella has been a ranger for the past four years and personally tends to trees at the Foresta 2000 site near the Red Tower in Mellieha, where 3,000 trees were damaged by vandals last May.
He had just arrived at his field on Monday afternoon, when a hunter shot in his direction from a distance of around 35 metres at about 5.50pm.
“I was hit in the face and shouted out in pain, making it clear to the hunter that I had been hit,” said Mr Vella.
He added: “The hunter aggressively shouted back at me, swearing at me and cursing BirdLife, clearly showing that he knew who I was. He then ran off, while taunting me over his shoulder to call the police.”
He said he immediately contacted the emergency services, the police and BirdLife Malta. While Andre Raine, BLM’s conservation manager, reached the site at 6.27pm, the police only got there a full hour after the incident, allowing the hunter to get away.
An X-ray that was eventually taken of Mr Vella’s face revealed one lead pellet embedded in his nose, which had to be removed by doctors.
BLM said that while Mr Vella was lucky enough to have sustained light, superficial injuries, had the shot been a centimetre to the right he would have been hit in the eye.
Mr Vella made a statement to the police the following morning and expressed his intention to press charges against his aggressor, whom he believed he would recognise.
Contacted by The Malta Independent, Martin Galea, executive president of Din l-Art Helwa, a project partner of Foresta 2000 said: “Ray is one of three men who have worked very hard on the tree-planting project over the past three years.
“Unfortunately, Ray has faced certain instances of harassment and intimidation, and we were terrified that something would happen. We are obviously offering him all our support. This incident could have had much more serious consequences. We urge the police to bring the criminal to justice,” said Mr Galea.
Meanwhile, in a tough-worded statement, Alternattiva Demokratika also condemned the attack on the Foresta 2000 ranger.
AD called on the authorities to strictly monitor people holding a permit to carry firearms and to immediately withdraw such licenses from people who dare threaten others trying to enjoy the countryside or doing sterling work in conservation.
Such incidents, together with the constant harassment of people trying to enjoy open spaces during the hunting season, must stop immediately, AD insisted.
The party reiterated its support and solidarity with people and organisations who dedicate time and resources to the conservation of the country’s natural heritage.
AD urged the police to take this case very seriously, saying there was the need for something to be done about the situation by means of which parts of the countryside are out of bounds because of armed bullies.
Government condemns attack
The government said yesterday it strongly condemns the attack perpetrated on Mr Vella, saying it is “unacceptable” that in this day and age someone intentionally fires shots at another person.
In a press release issued last night, the Rural Affairs and Environment Ministry said that what makes matters worse is that Mr Vella was carrying out patrols in the area where 3,000 trees were destroyed last May.
The ministry said it is clear that Mr Vella was attacked because of his affiliation with Birdlife Malta.
The ministry expressed solidarity with Mr Vella and said it hopes that this irresponsible behaviour only serves to intensify his determination to keep on working in favour of the environment.