Updated 2.17 pm

Ronald Azzopardi, 32, from Zabbar, who works as a tree pruner, was charged on Thursday with the theft of two barn owls from Buskett.

The barn owls were stolen from an enclosure where birds are being bred by the hunters' federation (FKNK) for release in the wild.

The break-in, on Tuesday, was recorded on CCTV.

The thief was seen plucking feathers out of the birds' wings during the break-in.

Azzopardi pleaded not guilty to the theft, to altering the appearance of the birds, animal cruelty and damaged third party property.

A request for bail was denied by Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo since the case is still at a very early stage and civilian witnesses still have to testify.

Inspectors Roderick Attard and Andy Rotin prosecuted.

Legal aid lawyer Francine Abela was defence counsel.

The FKNK thanked the police for their work.