Malta Bird Rescue

The Problem

Thousands of migrating birds are illegally shot down as they fly over Malta each year. International Animal Rescue joined the campaign to end this indiscriminate slaughter in 1990 and lobbies at a national and European level for greater bird protection. Max Farrugia, Chairman of International Animal Rescue in Malta, runs a small bird rehabilitation hospital in Valleta. Injured species that he has nursed back to health include honey buzzards, hobbies, kestrels and short eared owls, as well as familiar garden songbirds. Once fully recovered, rescued birds are released back into the wild.

The Solution

Caption

A rescued heron

Our mission is to bring an end to illegal hunting in Malta by supporting the work of the wildlife protection unit of the police known as the ALE (Administrative Law Enforcement.) Every spring and autumn we assist our German partners the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) at their bird protection camps. Volunteer bird guards recruited from all over the world and trained by CABS are based in Malta to monitor migration and record any illegal shooting or trapping. A control room is set up and manned day and night and the police are alerted immediately to any illegal activity so that their patrols can respond swiftly and track down the culprits. Conservationists come from all over Europe and some from further afield to take part in the camps and do their bit to stop the senseless slaughter of thousands of birds every year.