Osprey shot down over Malta (1 Viewer)

An Osprey ringed in Germany as part of a conservation project was yesterday afternoon recovered by the ALE and BirdLife Malta, shortly after it was illegally shot in the Salina Bird Sanctuary.

The Osprey had a numbered metal ring identifying it as a bird from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. The bird was ringed as a chick in its nest on the 25th June this year, as part of a conservation project by the BirdLife partner in Germany, NABU, together with the Forestry Commission, Nature Conservation Authorities, Power Line Companies and around 200 volunteers.

See the following links:

We spend thousands not only in money but man hours protecting these beautiful birds for ********** to shoot them out of the sky (sorry don't know what to call them any more, every name has been used). Members of a fellow EU country.

Is there any chance of sending Malta the bill for the rescue, repatriation and rehabilitation of this Osprey. Shot in the wing it cannot fly but I hope and pray it recovers.

Ann
The Osprey Godmother :-C:-C:flyaway::egghead:

Echo the sentiments of Ann.

David, what is the general consensus regarding the involvement of the police and authorities in trying to stamp out the illegal hunting this year? Is there genuine will on their part or evidence of turning a blind eye?

If the latter, then surely there is case for bringing prosecution against Malta for failing to enforce E.U. legislation (or, rather more shaky, a private prosecution for wasted costs of, for example, the conservation project that this Osprey was part of, or the cost of its care). If however the police are genuinely trying to stamp out the illegal actions, then there really is little that would succeed in terms of prosecution or pressing for costs.

This is a tragedy. It only takes one careless person and one second to destroy the hard work of both conservation biologists and the birds themselves. Lets hope this story helps to raise awareness about Osprey and all the other protected birds worldwide.