The autumn migration is well underway and despite the enforcement of the EC bird’s directive when Malta joined the EU in 2004 illegal killing of migrant bird species continues to be a persistent and unregulated conservation threat. More than a hundred protected species were recently found dead in a mass grave in Mizieb on the island..
What are your wildlife experiences of Malta, good or bad?
The recent RSPB/BirdLife Malta appeal for to help to stop illegal spring hunting in Malta has had a huge response so far with over 16,000 UK signatures to date! Another 35,000 signatures have been received across BirdLife International in Europe! If you haven’t already, do read the above weblink and add your name! Please please forward the appeal details onto as many friends and colleagues as possible.
Thanks again for your support!
Hi,
this probably won't be a popular post .
I don't see how petitions will help when the Police on Malta turn a blind eye and the hunters number serving Police Officers among their ranks...
Malta is desperate to be in the EU- I'm surprised organisations such as the RSPB etc didnt launch a campaign to protest against Malta joining until hunting was banned in the first place.
Malta always puts up the 'hunters votes' excuse. Only the threat of sanctions from the EU is likely to change things , although I have heard reports that the hunters are an older generation and may die out eventually.
Maybe all the Nature/ Bird organisations should pool resources, and make one concerted approach to the EU...
Malta is obviously a superb place to go birding, maybe we flood it with hundreds of spring and autumn birders, to show the islanders the tourist opportunities; or we try to persuade all Brit tourists to stay away completely.
How about suggesting a Springwatch special filmed from Malta ? Would that cause embarassment to the island?
S
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