BirdLife Malta and Din L-Art Helwa have called for tough action by the authorities following the shooting this morning of the ranger of the Foresta 2000 afforestation project.
The ranger, Ray Vella, suffered slight head injuries and was released from hospital after treatment. The incident happened just after 6 a.m. as Mr Vella came out of his Land Rover at the afforestation site near the Red Tower in Mellieha.
Foresta 2000 is jointly managed by DLH, BirdLife and the Parks Department.
DLH President Martin Galea and BirdLife President Joseph Mangion condemned the incident and pointed out that this was the latest in a string of incidents against BirdLife. It was also the third violent attack against Mr Vella.
In all such cases, they said, no one was ever taken to court and unless there was tough action to find who the aggressors were, the situation could get worse.
The latest attack, they said, was unlikely to have been a mistake, given that Mr Vella was coming out of his Land Rover with the lights still on.
"We need a strong message from the authorities that they are in control," Mr Mangion said. He added that security at Foresta 2000 would be reviewed.
Mr Vella was previously shot at two years ago, suffering facial injuries. His small farm was torched last year.
Lino Farrugia, secretary of the Hunters' Federation (FKNK) said when contacted that he did not know the circumstances of the case, but the FKNK condemned any incident of this nature.
Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino, who is currently abroad, contacted DLH and BirdLife to express his solidarity with Mr Vella. He also renewed the government's commitment to the Foresta 2000 project.
The Labour Party and Alternattiva Demokratika issued statements to condemn the incident.
The PL said this was an evil attack which could have had grave consequences.It expressed solidarity with Mr Vella, his family and BirdLife, who, with much sacrifice, maintain the woodland at Mellieha.
AD Chairman Arnold Cassola said some people could not accept that there were people and organisations who worked to preserve and take care of the natural heritage and that there were areas, of which there should be more, where priority was given to nature protection.
"We hope that those who resort to firearms and extreme violence are brought to justice as quickly as possible."