Record year for illegally shot birds as poachers target honey buzzards

With 69 birds shot at illegally so far this year, 2018 is turning out to be a record

24 September 2018, 7:01pm 

by Laura Calleja

A honey buzzard retrieved over the weekend by an individual in Siġġiewi is the latest victim of unbridled poaching of protected birds taking place this year.

BirdLife said the honey buzzard was confirmed shot by the government vet, making it the 25th protected bird to be shot this autumn hunting season.

The bird conservation group said it was aware of another honey buzzard that was taken directly to the vet by the police. “If the bird is confirmed shot, the total of known casualties recovered since 1 September will reach 26.”

BirdLife said that there were 69 known incidents of protected birds that were shot in 2018. The figure is higher than those for 2015 and 2016. The organisation is predicting that 2018 could be the worst year since 2013 for the killing of protected birds.

Source  

Honey Buzzards shot as hunters warn against abuse

BirdLife Malta ‘confirms’ shot protected birds during the first two weeks of autumn hunting

15 September 2015, 9:45am

At least three Honey Buzzards were shot leaving one injured and two dead, during the first two weeks of the autumn hunting season, BirdLife Malta said.

Injured Honey Buzzard (Photo: BirdLife Malta)

The news comes as Kaccaturi San Ubertu issued a statement reminding hunters of the 7pm hunting curfew as from today until 7 October. It also warned that it will not tolerate any abuse.

“BirdLife Malta has confirmed that it has received its first shot protected bird for this year’s autumn hunting season. [Yesterday] afternoon BirdLife Malta’s staff recovered an injured Honey Buzzard from a field in Siggiewi after it was alerted by a member of public,” BirdLife said.

An X-ray image revealed nine pellets in the bird’s body and a fracture to its left wing. The bird has been passed over to the ALE for rehabilitation.

Continued ...