On the shooting of a Booted Eagle and a Short-toed Eagle: Following the recent conviction of a hunter of shooting a protected bird, Youth For The Environment applauds the decision of FKNK to expel the convict from their society. Additionally, the fact that the convict admitted to possessing taxidermy equipment for preserving shot birds and a large number of such birds speaks only of the weak and toothless enforcement regime in this sphere. The Administrative Law Enforcement personnel of the Executive Police are clearly in need of greater support and resources for the detection and prosecution of the offences. This was followed by a most deplorable incident on 25th October 2013 where a booted eagle and a short-toed eagle were shot down by hunters. The gravity of the situation becomes even clearer in the light of a dozen more birds shot down in less than a week. This does not take into account all those birds that were injured but survived or their lucky brethren who were aimed at but not hit. Apart from the urgent need for more rigorous enforcement of the applicable laws in this area through the better deployment and use of the resources of the Executive Police, this incident should only serve to urge Parliament to draft a bill containing provisions which have the effect of outlawing the barbaric practice of hunting. Such a matter is not one for compromise or consultation with stakeholders but a matter of right and wrong. Youth For The Environment calls on all the political parties in Malta, particularly those represented in Parliament, to take the necessary action and end hunting once and for all, thus bringing to an end a disgraceful practice.
Posted on: Sun, 03 Nov 2013 16:12:30 +0000
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