Another lethal season looms
As the spring migration season approaches, the urge to mate will drive millions of birds in Africa forward, racing to their breeding grounds in Europe to defend territories before they lose out to rivals. In the small islands of Malta in the middle of the Mediterranean sea, Maltese hunters are also getting ready — for the kill. The central Mediterranean crossing is one of the most challenging parts of the journey for migrating birds. Luckily, the Mediterranean is dotted with little islands where they can stop, feed, and regain their strength before continuing homeward. Unluckily, the Maltese archipelago lies ahead: for many birds, gunshot awaits instead of shelter.
Smaller birds, such as this Hoopoe, also fall victim to Malta’s illegal hunters. Until serious efforts are made to improve enforcement, this situation will repeat itself every spring and every autumn. (Photo: Geoffrey Saliba)
More than 398 bird species have been recorded over the islands, 170 of them occurring regularly. With around 11,500 hunters (and an additional 4000 bird-trappers), these islands boast the highest density of hunters in Europe. The local bird conservation organisation, BirdLife Malta, has documented at least 79 protected species targeted by Malta's illegal hunters over the past three years. Most of these protected birds are killed for the "fun of it" and often left to rot or, even worse, die slowly of their injuries in the countryside. Rarer species are targeted for taxidermy purposes and end up on display in poachers' homes. Since BirdLife increased its monitoring of illegal activities and collecting evidence over the past couple of years, poachers have taken to hiding shot birds in rubble walls, rusting barrels or under stones. BirdLife Malta has filmed illegal hunters stashing birds for retrieval once they are confident nobody is watching, and also to hide evidence of the illegality.
Just last September the remains of more than 200 dead protected birds were discovered hidden in such a manner, in what is one of Malta's worst wildlife crime scenes in recent history. The remains ranged from Marsh Harriers to Hoopoes and even a Nightingale, from birds killed within a few hours to those killed in earlier seasons. The Maltese police force was reluctant to launch an investigation and to carry out a thorough search of the crime scene. They simply watched as volunteer birdwatchers searched the woodland for more evidence. Mizieb, as this woodland is known, is claimed as a hunting ground by Malta's largest hunting federation. The Administrative Law Enforcement (ALE) unit of the Malta police force, with fewer than 25 officers, is supposed to deal with Malta's illegal hunting problem. With other duties such as beach patrols and guarding visiting dignitaries, the ALE can hardly cope with the widespread illegal hunting and trapping in the Maltese islands.
Making matters worse
It's not as though Malta's hunters have a poor deal by way of the legal autumn hunting season — there are a whole five months in autumn and winter in which hunters can legally shoot 32 species. Furthermore, Malta has in the past opened a spring hunting season for Turtle Dove and Common Quail, both listed as Species of Conservation Concern in Europe due to declining European populations. This practice led the European Commission to take Malta to the European Court of Justice, as spring hunting is forbidden throughout the EU under the Birds Directive. Last September the court ruled that Malta's spring hunting derogation between 2004 and 2007 was unlawful. The season was not opened in 2008 and 2009 due to an interim court order banning the practice in Malta.
This has not deterred the local hunting lobby — quite the opposite. The hunting lobby claims that the Court ruling does not stop Malta from allowing another spring hunting season in future. The Maltese government, seemingly concerned by the threat of a few votes from the hunting fraternity, has shamefully announced that is considering opening a 'limited' spring hunting season despite the court ruling.
Taking action against the killings
BirdLife Malta has been at the front line of the campaign against poaching in the Maltese islands. BirdLife volunteers will once again be in the countryside this spring to deter the illegal killing of protected birds. The conservation group will be running a three-week-long international camp between the 11th and 30th of April — Spring Watch Camp. Volunteers will be collecting data on migration while maintaining a strong presence in the countryside to deter illegalities. The camp also collects photographic and video evidence of illegal hunting and trapping to aid police with their investigations.
If the Maltese government chooses to open another spring hunting season this year, volunteers will have the important task of documenting the extent and impact of the open season. A report will be prepared and sent to the European Commission to get the EU step in again and to stop the ongoing persecution of Europe’s birds. Volunteers who want to take part in this year's Spring Watch camp can contact raptorcamp@birdlifemalta.org. You can also support BirdLife Malta's work against illegal hunting by signing the international petition against illegal hunting today at www.birdlifemalta.org.
