Hunters’ lobby bans Luqa poacher for life

Hunters' lobby FKNK (Federazzjoni Kaccaturi Nassaba Konservazzjonisti) has issued a life ban against Allan Farrugia, the Luqa poacher who was fined over €4,600 and had his car seized by the court for killing a protected Short Toed Eagle.

"The federation urgently convened its disciplinary board in order to assess the matter and take appropriate action in accordance with its statute," president Joe Perici-Calascione said.

"In view of the nature of the incident and the extremely serious consequences that this has caused both in terms of wildlife destruction and also in terms of the ongoing efforts of the FKNK to curtail all illegalities connected with hunting, the board has decided to cancel Farrugia's membership for life."

The FKNK said that its decision was motivated by the fact that the eagle the subject of "various negative pressures" including man-made obstacles and other farming practices, and did not enjoy a conservation status that could withstand hunting.

"Any single specimen targeted is a big blow to the conservation efforts made across Europe to safeguard the existence and increase the population numbers of these birds. Furthermore, this was not a one-time illegal act by Farrugia but he was a self-confessed repeat offender."

Allan Farrugia, 25 of Luqa, was fined €4,600 and had his vehicles and two shotguns seized after pleading guilty to killing a protected eagle and hunting illegally.

Prosecuting Inspector Ramon Mercieca accused the man of shooting down a Short Toed Eagle, which is listed as a protected species. The man was caught hunting at Is-Salib tal-Gholja, in Siggiewi, on 23 October at around 6:00pm.

During the investigation the police also found 75 stuffed birds all of which are protected species. The man admitted to having caught and stuffed the birds himself over the past eight years. He was also charged with unlicensed taxidermy and being in possession of protected species.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke ordered the seizure of the man's Toyota Hi-Lux as an accessory of the offence. The Magistrate stated that vehicles used in illegal hunting will be seized by the authorities. The court also ordered the seizure of two shotguns and fined the man €4,600 which can be paid in monthly payments. Magistrate Clarke stated the stuffed birds are to be handed over to the National History Museum in Mdina.