A hunter was filmed shooting at a flock of protected Squacco Herons along the Żonqor coast yesterday morning, killing three birds BirdLife said Friday. The incident was witnessed and documented by a BirdLife Malta team, which immediately alerted the police. An Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) team responded and apprehended two individuals as they attempted to retrieve the shot birds. The incident took place within Inwadar Park, between Xgħajra and Marsaskala, BirdLife said.
A BirdLife Malta team stationed in the area located a flock of around 30 Squacco Herons resting along the shoreline. While monitoring the flock from a distance, the team observed a vehicle approaching from the direction of Żonqor with two men inside. One man exited the vehicle carrying a firearm and walked towards the flock. BirdLife Malta immediately contacted the police on 119 and requested EPU assistance. While still connected to the police control room, the hunter fired two shots towards the flock. Two Squacco Herons were killed and fell into the sea, while a third was injured and reached the shoreline, the NGO said.
The second individual subsequently searched for and flushed the injured bird, after which the hunter was observed shooting at it again. The bird later succumbed to its injuries. An EPU unit arrived while the two individuals were attempting to retrieve the birds. An assisting EPU vessel recovered the two dead Squacco Herons from the sea, while the third bird was also recovered as evidence. Two individuals are understood to be facing proceedings in connection with the incident. BirdLife Malta applauds the timely intervention of EPU officers on land and at sea, which resulted in the suspects being apprehended while still at the scene. The incident once again highlights how some individuals exploit the currently open rabbit hunting season to target protected species that are not legally huntable, acting deliberately and with impunity in broad daylight along a popular stretch of coastline.
"What we witnessed yesterday was an extremely serious incident of illegal hunting. A flock of protected birds resting along the coast is perceived as quarry by a young hunter who, under the cover of a rabbit hunting licence, kills with the intent of collecting these birds for taxidermy purposes. All this happened in broad daylight, without any fear of interception or penalties," said Nicholas Barbara, Head of Conservation at BirdLife Malta. "We commend the EPU officers for responding and apprehending the individuals involved. This is precisely what effective enforcement should look like. However, it is clear that stronger enforcement and meaningful penalties are essential if we are to prevent such incidents from happening, rather than simply reporting them after birds have been killed."
The incident comes days after Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri, who is also responsible for hunting and trapping, announced that he had asked the Chairman of the Ornis Committee to discuss proposed legislative amendments. The Minister said these amendments aim to ensure Malta's laws remain relevant, aligned with European legislation and respectful of the principle of proportionality. BirdLife Malta stresses that any such reform must strengthen, rather than weaken, the deterrent effect of legislation protecting wild birds.
Yesterday's successful interception was only possible because BirdLife Malta staff were present, documented the incident and immediately alerted the police. Without their presence, the birds could have been killed and collected without the incident ever coming to the attention of the authorities. With autumn migration to the African continent already underway and further arrivals of migratory species expected in the coming weeks, BirdLife Malta urges anyone witnessing illegal hunting or suspicious hunting activity along the coast to immediately contact the police on 119 and request to be connected to the EPU. The legal bird hunting season opens on 1 September.
Reports can also be made to BirdLife Malta on 2134 7645, or on 7925 5697 outside office hours.