Gozo Finch Hunter Reportedly Caught Trapping Birds Before Season Opens

The Malta Ranger Unit shared footage of what reportedly seems to be a finch hunter trapping birds four days before the season opens.

Despite the season for finch research being announced to open on the 20th of this month, this person, wearing a balaclava, was ‘busy trapping finches in the remote country side at sunrise.’

‘Our Rangers reported to the Gozo police that a person was actively trapping finches during the closed season at sunrise.’

‘A minute after the report is done, the poacher gets a phone call and rushes out from the hide, packs up and runs off.’

‘Even though the poacher was identified by the Rangers and documented to use the nets, and the Police knew who he was and where he was heading, the Wild Birds Regulation Unit advised the Officers to not confiscate any nets if they encountered the accused. This because they were no longer on the trapping site’, added the rangers.

‘The Officers were made aware about the specific vehicle the accused was driving, still the accused was seen passing the Police vehicle and took off into a village where he quickly hid the evidence in nearby buildings.

This all boils down to lack of training of Officers and lack of equipment to tackle environmental crime efficiently.’

‘Our Rangers have submitted all information to the Gozo Police and we expect court actions to be taken against the well-known individual.

Unfortunately, due to WBRU seemingly blocking further actions, the accused would by now have hidden the wild caught finches in a location where they won't be found.’

#MaltaDaily