1st November 2006
Max Farrugia, Chairman of IAR Malta, is treating a young osprey that was rescued by Members of the Armed Forces of Malta’s Maritime Squadron.
The Squadron’s Rapid Deployment Team was conducting a routine patrol against illegal hunting off the coast of Zonqor, when the osprey was observed by the AFM marines flying about 20 metres off the shoreline. A hunter on land shot at the bird, leaving it seriously wounded. One of the squadron’s boats recovered the drowning bird from the sea, while the hunter fled from law enforcement authorities in a vehicle.
The wounded osprey was taken back to the AFM Maritime Squadron’s base in Haywharf, Floriana before being handed over to Max for treatment.