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Malta bird hunt a 'crime scene' | Malta bird hunt a 'crime scene' |
(21 minutes later) | |
The dead bodies of 150 protected birds have been found on the Mediterranean island of Malta as activists search what they call a "major crime scene". | The dead bodies of 150 protected birds have been found on the Mediterranean island of Malta as activists search what they call a "major crime scene". |
Conservation groups have criticised the Maltese government for failing to halt illegal hunting of protected birds during the island's autumn season. | Conservation groups have criticised the Maltese government for failing to halt illegal hunting of protected birds during the island's autumn season. |
Malta's government has previously said it would take action against anyone found to be killing protected species. | Malta's government has previously said it would take action against anyone found to be killing protected species. |
Malta lies along a major bird migratory route between Europe and Africa. | Malta lies along a major bird migratory route between Europe and Africa. |
BirdLife Malta has called on the government to start treating the illegal hunting as a political priority. | BirdLife Malta has called on the government to start treating the illegal hunting as a political priority. |
'Bird cemetery' | 'Bird cemetery' |
The bodies of 150 protected birds - including falcons, marsh harriers, night herons, honey buzzards and a nightingale - have been found hidden in small stashes under stones and woodland scrub since Sunday, conservationists said. | The bodies of 150 protected birds - including falcons, marsh harriers, night herons, honey buzzards and a nightingale - have been found hidden in small stashes under stones and woodland scrub since Sunday, conservationists said. |
This is a major crime scene and the police have not even cordoned it off Dr Andre RaineBirdLife Malta | This is a major crime scene and the police have not even cordoned it off Dr Andre RaineBirdLife Malta |
While many were clearly killed some time ago, others had reportedly been shot as recently as the weekend. | While many were clearly killed some time ago, others had reportedly been shot as recently as the weekend. |
BirdLife Malta said it was disappointed police had not taken more action to limit the hunt. | BirdLife Malta said it was disappointed police had not taken more action to limit the hunt. |
"This is a major crime scene and the police have not even cordoned it off," said Dr Andre Raine, conservation manager for BirdLife Malta. | "This is a major crime scene and the police have not even cordoned it off," said Dr Andre Raine, conservation manager for BirdLife Malta. |
"It's an embarrassment to have one of the main hunting areas littered with dead bodies... This place is literally a bird cemetery." | "It's an embarrassment to have one of the main hunting areas littered with dead bodies... This place is literally a bird cemetery." |
The group has called on Malta's government to give the island's police force more resources to combat illegal hunting. | The group has called on Malta's government to give the island's police force more resources to combat illegal hunting. |
Many more carcasses of protected birds were expected to be found as only one-third of the hunting area in the Mizieb woodland had been searched, Dr Raine told the BBC. | Many more carcasses of protected birds were expected to be found as only one-third of the hunting area in the Mizieb woodland had been searched, Dr Raine told the BBC. |
Protect wild birds | |
Malta's autumn hunting season lasts for five months from 1 September. | Malta's autumn hunting season lasts for five months from 1 September. |
Traditionally, the Maltese government has allowed hunters to shoot migratory quails and turtle doves for limited periods during the spring and autumn. | Traditionally, the Maltese government has allowed hunters to shoot migratory quails and turtle doves for limited periods during the spring and autumn. |
The spring hunting season was halted early in 2007 after a flock of honey buzzards was shot dead, and was not reopened in either 2008 or 2009. | The spring hunting season was halted early in 2007 after a flock of honey buzzards was shot dead, and was not reopened in either 2008 or 2009. |
Although the autumn hunt remains legal, the EU Birds Directive rules that member states are obliged to protect wild birds as well as their eggs, nests and habitat. | Although the autumn hunt remains legal, the EU Birds Directive rules that member states are obliged to protect wild birds as well as their eggs, nests and habitat. |
Malta, which joined the EU in 2004, has since been warned by the European Commission for breaching the directive and allowing hunters to shoot migrating birds during the prohibited period. | Malta, which joined the EU in 2004, has since been warned by the European Commission for breaching the directive and allowing hunters to shoot migrating birds during the prohibited period. |
BirdLife Malta had invited birdwatchers from across Europe to visit the island during the annual shoot to monitor hunting activity. | BirdLife Malta had invited birdwatchers from across Europe to visit the island during the annual shoot to monitor hunting activity. |
The Federation for Hunting and Conservation on Malta (FKNK) has previously condemned the illegal killing of birds, warning that it would disqualify any members convicted of any "serious crime". | The Federation for Hunting and Conservation on Malta (FKNK) has previously condemned the illegal killing of birds, warning that it would disqualify any members convicted of any "serious crime". |
Neither the FKNK, nor the Maltese government, were available for comment on Monday. | Neither the FKNK, nor the Maltese government, were available for comment on Monday. |
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