Birdlife laments lack of biodiversity protection in Budget

Birdlife Malta said that despite the Government having introduced “positive measures which benefit certain  aspects of the environment”, there is much more to be done, especially where “biodiversity is concerned, specifically bird protection”.

The NGO commended the government on its measures, including those on electric cars, planting trees and the “plan to set up the ‘Ambjent Malta’ agency” but emphasised the need for the showing of courage to “take decisions, with regard to biodiversity protection”.

Birdlife reported that in the past days “another six injured protected birds were retrieved”, all of which were confirmed to be “illegally shot”. These included a Hoopoe from Mizieb, two Common Kestrels and a Honey Buzzard, which were collected by police, a Yellow-legged Gull, collected from the Freeport and a Short-eared Owl, which was found in the vicinity of St Edward’s College.

The number of known illegally shot protected birds has risen to 32, said the NGO, making it “the worst season in the past years”. 

Shot Hoopoe recovered from Mizieb (Photo: Birdlife Malta)

One of two shot Common Kestrels retrieved by the police on Sunday (Photo: Birdlife Malta)

Honey Buzzard recovered by police on Sunday (Photo: Birdlife Malta)

Yellow-legged Gull confirmed shot after being retrieved yesterday (Photo: Birdlife Malta)