Thursday 22 April 2010

Birdlife Malta

After receiving my monthly subscription of Bird Watching through the post this morning, I came across an article from Chris Packham entitled "The Bloody Isle", in which the article talks about the hunting in Malta. Chris's anger on the matter is perfectly understandable, there's a key fact that sticks out to me when reading his article: Mizieb, in the Maltese Islands is a strong hold for migrants, the Birdlife Malta Raptor Camp members along with the Committee Against Bird Slaughter went and investigated the site after gun shots were heard, and the remains of 200 protected species were found along the site.

There's only a limited amout that can be done without getting out there. It's incredibly distressing and very annoying to hear of such dispicable behaviour of some people. Volunteers for Birdlife Malta aim to conserve the habitats and the birds within Malta. The Maltese Islands lie on one of main flyways for bird migration. Unfortunately most hunters and trappers get away with this unjustly behaviour, but the locals are forced to live with the restrictions imposed on land.

Recent events of volunteers recording bird migration and illegal hunting has resulted in these volunteers suffering several violent attacks sometimes on a daily basis. http://birdlifemalta.org/view.aspx?id=244

These volunteers are trying to help stop these horrific attacks on the wild birds, and in doing so they're getting verbally and physically assulted, how is this right? I would be very interested to know your views on the matter.

Here is a link to the website: http://birdlifemalta.org/index.aspx

One final thing for you to look at: http://birdlifemalta.org/photogallery/videos/?sectionid=10. This could be a little distressing for some viewers.

2 comments:

holdingmoments said...

I read that article this morning too Anna. Sickening. I really don't know what can be done. Their own government seem incapable of dealing with it all.

Anonymous said...

when I am reading the
dangers in MALTA of our birds passing the country
on their way to africa I am
really getting sick and amazing that adults hunt on
these birds A SHAME
rgds from Jaap Havelaar
Holland