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Date: November 25, 2024 Mon
Time: 9:13 pm
Time: 9:13 pm
Results for wildlife crimes (malta)
1 results foundAuthor: Raine, Andre Title: 2008 Illegal Hunting and Trapping Report Summary: This report outlines all illegal hunting and trapping incidents received by BirdLife Malta in 2008. Incidents are only included in this report if they were seen by BirdLife Malta staff members and volunteers, or individuals directly known by BirdLife Malta, and therefore should not in any way be taken to be the total number of illegal hunting and trapping incidents that occurred in the Maltese islands in 2008. A total of 106 protected birds (of 30 species) with gunshot injuries (compared to 81 in 2007) were reported to or brought into the BirdLife Malta office in 2008, with birds of prey once again being the main targets of poachers (65.1% of the total). The three most common species with gunshot injuries were Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) and Honey-buzzard (Pernis apivorus), in that order. These are the same top three shot protected species received in 2007. Many of the protected birds targeted by illegal hunters were of conservation concern in Europe, with a large proportion (56.7%) given additional protection under Annex 1 of the Birds Directive. The ban on spring hunting resulted in a significant decline, of 80.5% from the previous year, in the number of shot protected birds received by BirdLife Malta during the peak spring migration period of April and May (only 8 birds received in 2008 compared to 41 in 2007). This trend was reversed in the autumn with a significant increase, of 147.8% from the previous year, in the number of protected birds received (57 birds received in September and October 2008 compared to 23 in 2007). It is thought that this is due primarily to the mentality of some hunters who threatened to take their ‘revenge’ on birds in autumn because of the spring hunting ban. A total of 2,401 illegal hunting and trapping incidents were also recorded in 2008, representing a significant increase on the 741 reports in 2007. These consisted of 2,054 illegal hunting incidents (under twelve categories), 243 illegal trapping incidents and 104 illegal electronic lures (being used by either hunters or trappers). The majority of illegal reports consisted of hunters illegally shooting during the closed season in spring, with illegal incidents being concentrated in key areas and on peak migration days. Illegal hunting incidents observed by BirdLife Malta staff, volunteers or individuals known to BirdLife, involved 38 protected species, with the most common species being Marsh Harrier, European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster), Honeybuzzard, Barn Swallow (hirundo rustica) and Common Kestrel, in that order. The report also highlights how widespread illegal hunting was in 2008, with shot protected birds that were delivered to BirdLife office originating from 68 locations in Malta and Gozo and illegal hunting incidents being recorded in 128 locations (compared to 84 locations in 2007). The data shows that the three worst areas for illegal hunting incidents were the limits of Luqa International Airport, Delimara and Miieb. Illegal trapping reports were also significantly higher in 2008, with 243 illegalities recorded. The vast majority of these reports were of trappers trapping illegally in spring. It can therefore be seen that illegal hunting and trapping, particularly during closed seasons, and the shooting of protected species, was once again widespread and at a very serious level in Malta in 2008. However it is equally apparent that the fact that the spring hunting season was not opened in 2008 resulted in an immediate and significant decline in the shooting of protected species, despite the fact that some hunters ignored the ban and attempted to hunt in spring regardless. The presence of BirdLife Malta surveillance teams in spring, working in close co-ordination with the ALE, undoubtedly served to reduce the hunting pressure substantially during the peak spring migration period. Details: Ta’Xbiex, Malta: BirdLife Malta, 2009. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 3, 2013 at: http://www.birdlifemalta.org/photos/otherfiles/1294.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Malta URL: http://www.birdlifemalta.org/photos/otherfiles/1294.pdf Shelf Number: 128928 Keywords: BirdsIllegal HuntingIllegal TrappingWildlife ConservationWildlife Crimes (Malta) |