BirdLife Malta has alleged that Malta’s national spring hunting quota for Turtle-doves, set at 1,500, has already been illegally reached before the season officially opens on 21st April.
According to the NGO, its Spring Watch teams observed over 80% of hunters in recent days illegally targeting Turtle-doves instead of the legally permitted Common Quail. The illegal activity reportedly peaked between Thursday and Saturday, with early-morning gunfire heard across Malta and Gozo.
BirdLife Malta highlighted that Turtle-dove hunting is easily distinguishable from Quail hunting and accused many hunters of hiding upon noticing monitors. The group also reported the shooting of protected species such as the Common Kestrel, Hobby, and Bee-eater.
Miżieb and north-west Gozo were identified as hotspots, with one hunter seen killing three Turtle-doves in a morning. The NGO criticised the lack of data from the Wild Birds Regulation Unit and called the ongoing “research” trapping initiative contradictory.
The legal Turtle-dove season runs from 21st April to 4th May. BirdLife urges the public to report illegal hunting to 119 or directly to their offices on 21347645 or 79255697.
Cover photo: Dead Turtle-dove in Mizieb
Shot CommonKestrel with eye injury from Attard
Shot Bee-eater from Luqa
Shot Collared Dove from Wardija
Mizieb Hunter
Qrendi stationary hunter
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