Malta – 26. 09. 2020

Kid filmed with loaded shotgun in Has-Saptan vicinity

Birżebbuġa. The series of severe hunting crimes in Has Saptan valley in the south of Malta continues. This morning a CABS team monitoring the area filmed a boy, aged between approximately 10 and 13 years, roaming the countryside with a loaded shotgun. The weapon was previously handed over to the kid by an elderly hunter who – according to CABS – also watched how the minor loaded the weapon with two shot cartridges. Footage of the incident was shown to the police who searched the area but – at the moment of writing this press release – has not identified the culprits.

"Not only is it illegal to hunt under aged 18, it is dangerous and unacceptable for a child to be encouraged to commit a crime with a weapon by an older person who should be setting a good example." said Wildlife Crime officer Fiona Burrows.

CABS also said that yesterday evening its teams witnessed a Hobby (Seqer tal-Hannieqa in Maltese) being shot down and found an injured Black-crowned Night Heron (Kwakka in Maltese). The bird was handed over to Birdlife Malta who today confirmed today that the bird was shot with lead pellets found in its chest and neck. Both species are strictly protected and may not be hunted.

Contact for more information: CABS Press Officer Axel Hirschfeld, +49 1794803805 or Email to CABS@komitee.de