A protected Marsh Harrier was allegedly the victim of illegal hunting, this newsroom is informed.

Contacted, BirdLife Malta confirmed with The Malta Independent that a Marsh Harrier was recovered by BirdLife Malta volunteers from Chadwick lakes, after they were contacted by a member of the public, who informed them of an alleged illegally shot bird of prey.

The Bird was immediately passed on to the government vet who will need to provide official confirmation as to whether the bird was indeed shot.

The hunting season is currently closed, and thus any bird hunting is illegal.

Since the end of the Autumn Hunting season, which ended on 31 January, until today, BirdLife Malta and Police have recovered 28 known illegally shot protected birds.

BirdLife Malta appealed to the public to report any illegal hunting they witness to Birdlife on 79255697