From Mr M. Mifsud Bonnici

The news item headed “Malta called ‘bird murder island’” (TMIS, 27April) reporting Fiona Hazelton from Essex, besides influencing tourists decision to visit Malta due to its alarming statements, is an insult to people’s intelligence to say the least.

Apart from conducting an exercise in copy paste by stating what was reported in the London Times articles of 17 April “Malta bird-hunters become prey as volunteers try to stop slaughter” and adding a few more niceties, this article makes out Malta to be worse than any other European country, or Britain for that matter when it comes to wildlife illegalities.

I am quoting some illegalities that occurred in Britain that might influence your readers’ opinion about the local situation.

RSPB bird crime 2006 report:

“This report summarizes offences against wild bird legislation reported to the RSPB in 2006 It is believed that these published figures represent only a fraction of the total number of incidents, as many remain undetected and unreported, particularly those that occur in remote areas. In 2006, the RSPB received 1,109 reports of potential offences against wild birds in the United Kingdom (see Appendices I and II). In 2006 there were:

• 185 reports of shooting and destruction of birds of prey.

• 182 reports of poisoning incidents.

• 72 egg-collecting incidents.

• 39 reports of illegal taking, possession or sale of birds of prey.

• 66 reports of illegal taking, possession or sale of wild birds other than birds of prey.

• 23 reports relating to illegal disturbance or photography of Schedule 1 birds.

• 475 reports of shooting and destruction of non birds of prey, including trappings and nest destructions.

• Golden eagles poisoned in Scotland.

The RSPB offered a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the poisoning of two golden eagles in Scotland in 2006

Report by RSPB investigation officer Mark Thomas, October 2007:

“I was called yesterday to a lake at Radwell, Bedfordshire, where workmen had discovered the bodies of 29 freshly dead mute swans buried in a pit. Preliminary examination suggests the birds have injuries consistent with having been shot. The bodies of a grey heron and an as-yet unidentified bird of prey (probably a harrier) were also found in the pit.”

Extract article taken from the Scotsman.com – Slaughter of raptors by environment correspondent Ian Johnston

“The slaughter of Scotland’s birds of prey is at its highest level in 20 years, Investigators at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said these figures were the tip of a large iceberg with many killings going undetected. And even when cases do come to light, only 1.4 per cent led to a conviction. The hen harrier is described as being in a “critical” situation and Scotland’s golden eagle is also said to be under threat in the long term. To date, no one in Scotland has been jailed for the offence, which is punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of £10,000. While poisoning is the main method used, nest destruction, killing or removal of eggs and young, shooting and traps are also used. Bob Elliot, head of investigations for RSPB Scotland, said the figures in the Persecution report should be regarded as a basic minimum, because it was so difficult to catch those responsible.”

Far from what she states that “I wouldn’t dream of going to Malta just on an ordinary holiday,” I honestly believe that since Malta lacks the remote areas that make catching the culprits impossible, she chose the island of Malta with its added advantage of sunshine and sea to fulfil her mission.

I emphatically state that any illegality against wildlife is to be condemned, yet I will not accept a foreigner stating that the Maltese “are the villains of Europe as far as bird protection is concerned” when it can easily be proved that our situation is no worse than that of any other country.

Undoubtedly Fiona Hazelton forms part of the team of “birdwatchers’ who have made it their mission to support local birdies make mountains out of molehills. I suggest she return to dreary Britain and help solve problems there before interfering in ours and getting a cheap holiday.

Mark Mifsud Bonnici

Secretary

Kaccaturi San Ubertu