S-Cubed - representing 18 youth and student organisations - said Friday it is deeply concerned by last month's reports of protected birds being illegally shot across Malta.
As a science student organisation, we believe knowledge carries a responsibility to speak up when the evidence is being ignored.
After mid-September storms drove migrating birds to Malta, BirdLife Malta and the police recorded 21 shot protected birds in a single week.
By 14 September, the 500-bird limit for Turtle-doves, a vulnerable species, was reported reached and the season closed early, yet BirdLife Malta reported they were still being shot.
On 15 September, a Black Stork, a rare visitor given the highest level of protection under the EU Birds Directive and Malta's Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations, was shot near Buskett.
On 20 September, BirdLife Malta filmed a Common Kestrel at Ħal Farruġ being held under a hunter's foot until it died.
On 26 September, a young Honey Buzzard on its first migration was shot over Delimara and later died.
On 28 September, students at St Edward's College, Birgu, found a shot Eurasian
Hobby, a protected falcon, in their school grounds on their first day back. In 2015,
a shot bird of prey fell into the same school.
"We recognise the work of the Environmental Protection Unit, the Malta Ranger Unit, BirdLife Malta and the members of the public who report these cases, but enforcement after the fact comes too late, the statement said.
Protection has to prevent these killings; responding afterwards is simply not enough.
Malta lies on a major migration route between Europe and Africa. Most of the birds shot here do not nest in Malta: each one killed is a loss for every country working to protect it.
That is why these laws protect them.
Birds like the Honey Buzzard and the Black Stork have long lifespans and breed slowly. A
Honey Buzzard pair usually raises only one or two chicks a year, so each bird that is shot takes years to replace. Young birds already face many natural dangers on their first
journey south, and shooting adds to those losses.
Protected species are protected because the evidence shows they need it.
S-Cubed and the undersigned organisations therefore call for: everyone using the countryside to respect the laws that protect wild birds; more enforcement officers in the field during migration, to stop illegal shooting before it happens; penalties strong enough to deter offenders.
Endorsed by:
2 Senate Student Representatives
2 University of Malta Council Student Representatives
Association of Students of Commercial Studies (ASCS)
Classics & Archaeology Students' Association (CASA)
Department of English Students Association (DESA)
Earth Systems Association (ESA)
History of Art and Fine Arts Students' Association (HoASA)
Junior Chamber of Advocates (JCA)
Kunsill Nazzjonali taż-Żgħazagħ (KNŻ)
Kunsill Studenti Universitarji (KSU)
Malta Association of Dental Students (MADS)
Malta Health Students' Association (MHSA)
Malta International Relations Students Association (MIRSA)