A Barn Owl, part of the Barn Owl Reintroduction Project managed by the Federazzjoni Kaccaturi Nassaba Konservazzjonisti (FKNK), fell victim to illegal shooting, culminating in the bird’s discovery within the grounds of St Dorothy’s School in Ħaż-Żebbuġ.
The injured owl, exhibiting a visible gunshot wound to its right wing, was located by a concerned citizen and subsequently handed over to BirdLife Malta on December 18th.
Upon examination by a government veterinarian, the extent of the harm became evident, with the bird suffering from a gunshot wound resulting in a broken right wing.
Identified by a ring on its left leg marked “024-BORP,” the owl is traced back to FKNK’s Barn Owl Reintroduction Project, initiated in 2018 and financially supported by the government through the Wild Birds Regulation Unit (WBRU).
The project aims to restore the Barn Owl population eradicated by illegal hunting over the years, fostering breeding and release in Malta and Gozo.
BirdLife Malta CEO Mark Sultana condemned the incident, emphasising the destructive impact of hunting on conservation efforts and highlighting the need for genuine conservation practices rather than attempts to “greenwash” hunters’ activities.
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