BirdLife reports second break-in at Ghadira reserve in a month

Ghadira Nature Reserve was broken into on the weekend for the second time in a month, BirdLife Malta said today.

It said that in the latest incident, an intruder was spotted by the night watchman on Friday evening, crouching near one of the bird-watching hides.

"There was a very rapid police response on Saturday, which helped to prevent any damage to the Nature Reserve" said Mark Gauci, BirdLife Malta's Reserves Manager.

Both the Mellieha and Qawra district police, as well as the ALE, arrived very quickly after the incident was reported, and thoroughly searched the Nature Reserve. After the police left, the intruder was spotted again and the police returned to the area a second time.

"It is evident that the intruder was hiding inside the reserve. The individual probably fled the scene when the police returned the second time and unfortunately was not apprehended.' added Mr. Gauci.

This was the second break-in at the reserve in recent months. On Christmas Eve, the fence was cut open and a plank laid across the moat which surrounds the reserve.

BirdLife said that it appeared that in that case there were more than one individual as two sets of footprints were found next to the fence. It appeared that the intruders abandoned their attempt after one of them fell into the water. Three live shotgun cartridges were found at the scene by the Nature Reserve warden.

"Considering the size of the charge and pellets, it is possible that the intruders were intending to shoot a large bird, possibly the young Flamingo which is still resident inside the reserve. The Flamingo had already suffered gunshot wounds last year when it briefly left the Reserve in October." Mr Gauci said.