Following a report by the Malta Ranger Unit (MRU), members of the police's Environmental Police Unit (EPU) have collected over 10 dead protected collared doves found in a small area in Mtarfa.

MRU rangers came across these dead protected birds on Saturday. "Some had recently died, whilst others were in different stages of decomposition," the MRU said.

The police were then called to the scene to collect the dead animals. The MRU stated that the birds are being taken to a government appointed veterinary to be x-rayed and to establish their cause of death.

Collared Doves are protected species as per subsidiary legislation 549.42.

The MRU thanked the EPU officers for their work, noting that "It's a busy time ahead of us and they are doing a great job despite the limited resources they are given."