Imagine, if you will, the peaceful silence of the Maltese countryside, shattered by the echo of gunshots. This is not a scene from a Hollywood thriller, but a grim reality that BirdLife Malta is warning about. The environmental NGO has sounded the alarm on a surge in illegal hunting, exposing serious gaps in enforcement.

As the hunting season gets underway, BirdLife Malta is reporting an alarming increase in illegal hunting activities. The organization’s monitoring teams have recorded numerous incidents of hunters flouting the law, putting protected species at risk. From the quiet streets of Rabat to the rural lanes of Żebbuġ, the sound of gunshots is becoming an all too familiar soundtrack.

“We’re seeing a worrying trend of hunters disregarding the law and hunting out of season, using illegal methods, and targeting protected species,” said Nicholas Barbara, CEO of BirdLife Malta. “This is not only illegal but also unethical and harmful to our biodiversity.”

BirdLife Malta is attributing this surge in illegal hunting to gaps in enforcement. Despite the efforts of the police and the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), the organization believes that more needs to be done to deter and punish offenders.

“We’re not seeing enough boots on the ground during hunting season,” said Barbara. “Hunters know that the risk of getting caught is low, so they’re taking advantage of this to break the law.”

BirdLife Malta is calling for stricter penalties for those caught illegal hunting. “The current fines and penalties are not a sufficient deterrent,” said Barbara. “We need to send a strong message that illegal hunting will not be tolerated.”

BirdLife Malta is not just sounding the alarm, it’s also calling on the community to get involved. The organization is urging anyone who witnesses illegal hunting activities to report them to the police or the ERA.

“Every report makes a difference,” said Barbara. “By working together, we can help protect our wildlife and preserve Malta’s biodiversity for future generations.”

You can report illegal hunting activities by calling the police on 112 or the ERA’s hotline on 2292 3500. You can also send an SMS to 5061 8500.

As we move into the heart of the hunting season, the battle to protect Malta’s wildlife is far from over. BirdLife Malta is calling on the authorities to step up enforcement efforts and on the community to stay vigilant and report any illegal activities.

“This is not just about birds,” said Barbara. “It’s about preserving our natural heritage, our biodiversity, and our way of life. We all have a stake in this, and we all have a role to play.”