Spoonbills victims of night hunting

The Spoonbills came to roost close to Salina Bird Sanctuary, which is a hotspot for illegal hunting at night. A Raptor Camp team followed the birds but lost sight of them after dark.

This morning only nine of the Spoonbills flew southwesterly to leave Malta. Three of the Spoonbills remained in Salina with visible gunshot wounds. The fate of the remaining birds is unknown, though Bird Life believe they suffered lethal injuries at the hands of illegal hunters.

The Raptor Camp team watching one of the larger roosts in Girgenti heard 26 gunshots and reported these to the police. Bird Life Malta and the Animal Ambulance attempted to rescue the injured birds but were unsuccessful as they are still able to fly a few metres. 

“The targeting of protected birds during the night invariably takes place every time rare species roost in the islands.” said Dr Andre Raine, BirdLife Malta Conservation Manager. “This is clear indication of just how ridiculous the illegal hunting situation in Malta is, and it is about time that the government accepts the situation for what it is – a serious international conservation problem.”