NGO sees surge of poaching illegalities as bird migration peaks
'Most poachers remain entirely unfazed by the current enforcement measures'
Poaching illegalities have surged as bird migration peaks, the Munich-based Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) said on Tuesday.
It said its volunteers on Tuesday morning (today) informed the police about a man catching protected Tree Pipits (Diżżu) and Short Toed Lark (Bilbla) in a field near Qrendi. Officers of the EPU arrived quickly and caught the man red-handed. Six live pipits, one lark and a large clap net installation were seized. Short Toed Lark are afforded the highest level of protection due to their status as a breeding bird on Malta.
On Monday, police confiscated two rare Ortolan Buntings (Ortolan) and a Tree Pipit after CABS documented a case of illegal trapping near Tal-Providenza. A large clap net was also seized. On the same day another CABS team observed a man illegally trapping Turtle Doves (Gamiema) on Gozo.
Although the perpetrator fled when he saw the police CABS said it was confident that he can be identified from a video which was handed over to the officers.
On Sunday morning a CABS team stationed in Marsascala filmed a hunter shooting a Turtle Dove during the closed season. The police were alerted and managed to find the shot bird and the offender. His shotgun was seized.
CABS said that on Saturday video evidence it had presented led to the arrest of a man for illegally hunting within the limits of the Girgenti bird sanctuary. His shotgun was confiscated and he will face charges for hunting in a protected area. A few hours later police officers dismantled two illegal bird trapping installations in the Ta' Qali area. Two Ortolan Buntings and two finches used as live decoys were seized. Both trappers were identified and will face legal proceedings.
On Friday (17 April) CABS members observed and filmed another poacher in the valley below Mosta. The man used plastic decoys to attract protected waders and other waterbirds. He was caught red-handed by the police and had his shotgun confiscated.
Last Wednesday (15 April) the birdwatchers found and reported an illegal cage trap (trabbokk) on a property near Safi. The trap and a a live Hawfinch (Taż-żebbuġ) were taken by the police. An investigation was launched against the property owner.
CABS said its teams also witnessed and documented dozens of other violations in the last week. These include numerous shots at protected species, hunting during curfew times, use of modified shotguns and the near-universal use of illegal bird callers for Quail (Summiena).
Additionally, CABS reports led to the arrest of eleven poachers in the weeks prior to April 15. Amongst them was the man who trapped and brutally killed a protected Kestrel (Spanjulett) on Gozo in March.
While praising the police for their quick response CABS managing director Alexander Heyd expressed deep concern about the high number of poaching cases this spring.
"The resources allocated by the government fall far short of what is needed to effectively tackle poaching in all its forms“, Heyd said, adding that most poachers remain entirely unfazed by the current enforcement measures. CABS called on the government to withdraw its protecting hand from poachers and introduce a zero-tolerance policy instead.