Updated | FKNK questions CABS presence in police operation

The Federation for Hunting and Conservation - Malta (FKNK) has questioned the presence of Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) activists in a police operation in which a number of turtle doves were released form a private aviary in Gharb in Gozo.

FKNK said in a statement tonight that it strongly condemned any illegality that could be undertaken, especially if harmful to the traditions of hunting and trapping and to Maltese and Gozitan hunters and trappers.

It insisted however that it had serious reservations about reports on social media, which clearly showed a CABS group from Germany present as Malta police officers and personnel from the Wild Birds Regulation Unit (WBRU) section released the turtle doves.

“Why were the birds released, when it is perfectly legal that such birds are kept in personal possession? What was illegal here?” it asked.

FKNK also asked whether the CABS activists had any authority to take part in the release and if a CBS activist who was filmed in possession of a turtle dove would be fined.

The WBRU had sent a letter to all registered hunters and warned them that if they were caught in possession of a turtle dove, they could be fined up to €5,000.

“Will the WBRU now see that this CABS activist gets to pay this fine?” FKNK asked. “Is there evidence that someone illegally shot that turtle dove, as is being claimed by CABS?”

The federation said that CABS activists have been frequently found to have acted without any authority and therefore illegally – spying through the use of drones and other equipment, trespassing, taking possession of private property, filming and photographing people without their consent, and being in the illegal possession of protected birds.

Mizieb hunting reserve vadalised

“Meanwhile, in the FKNK Hunting Reserve at Miżieb, unknown persons have caused willful and extensive damage to several hides located on site,” it said.

“Apparently, this time these cowardly vandals have even left their ‘signature’, in the form of stickers which they left on site.”

Stickers left behind at Mizieb hunting reserve

FKNK called on the police and the WBRU to confirm if they were investigating CABS and the vandalism at Mizieb.

“Perhaps, the desired balance in law enforcement will be achieved; which balance, at present, seems to be noticeably lacking,” it said.

The federation said that the Maltese people, including hunters and trappers, deserved to know that justice was being served on an equal basis, with anyone, and regardless of the nationality of the persons involved.

The FKNK thanked its hunter members, for their exemplary behaviour throughout this spring hunting season which closed on Friday, and which – it noted – was virtually non-existent since it was opened at a bad time for the passage of quails, against the proposal that the FKNK had put to the Malta Ornis Committee for the season to open 10 and 30 April.

It also warned members not to give in to provocations, as “what has been undertaken in these couple of days by CABS and others, who can only be looked upon as cowards and losers.”

CABS condemn vandalism in Miżieb​

In a statement issued on Sunday afternoon, CABS condemned the vandalism, calling it "acts of extremism."

"Such acts of extremism are something which the organisation is fully against," the conservation group said, adding that none of its members or volunteers were involved in the incident.

"Radicalism is not part of CABS operations and is against CABS principles. This incident is disrespectful to everything CABS have achieved in Malta and we hope that the ones responsible for this act will be brought to justice", the NGO´s president Heinz Schwarze said.