Police find protected birds in freezer

Police have found the carcasses of several protected birds in a freezer at the Tarxien house of two suspected poachers.

The search took place early this morning after the police acted on reports of illegal hunting at a field in Marsaxlokk.

Officers from the Administrative Law Enforcement found no hunting illegalities in the field, situated in the area known as Il-Ballut, but proceeded to carry out searches at the residence of the two men aged 31 and 65.

The police said in a statement that the birds found in a freezer included the Greater Commorad (Margun), Hobby (Isqra tal-Ħanniena), Kingfisher (Għasfur ta' San Martin), Sparrow Hawk (Saprvier) and Squacco Heron (Igrett isfar).

The frozen carcasses were passed on to the Wild Birds Regulation Unit.

Police investigations are ongoing.