Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1393937
3 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 18 JULY 2021 Mikiel Galea Letters & Clarifications Reports on poaching SCORCHING summer months and water scarcity are not an issue to those intent to break the law with trapping waders. We have been earlier this week (Thursday 8th July 2021) called upon by the government-appointed vets to assist in the rehabilitation and release of a number of wader birds which were confiscated through a joint operation between the police Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) and the Envi- ronment & Resources Authority (ERA) from a location in the south of Malta. Following information provided to police by the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS), an active wader trapping site was located and various wader bird species were found caged at a trapping site. The birds included a variety of species namely Stone Cur- lew; Wood, Green and Common Sand- piper; Black-tailed Godwit; Ringed and Little Ringed Plover; Spotted Redshank and Common Greenshank – a true bonanza of wader species which were trapped illegally recently through the use of clap nets, bird callers, an ample supply of water and bird decoys. The find included also a whole flock of Black-winged Stilts which were prob- ably trapped together with a single swipe of a net. All birds have been checked by veterinarians who certified the ma- jority of them as fit for release at all of our three nature reserves that have ideal habitat for these wading birds: Għadira, Simar and Salina Nature Re- serves. They were in fact released back into the wild the following day, Friday 9th July, after being ringed. If you spot illegal trapping activity, document such activity using photos and videos and feel free to drop us a line. A report can go a long way in sav- ing the lives of these waders which end up being netted and caged after a long journey from northern Europe. Nathaniel Attard BirdLife Malta Apology I refer to one of the online comments that I posted, and subsequently deleted, under the article by Prof. Isabel Stabile ("Criminalising abortion creates 'chill- ing effect' on healthcare providers," May 30, 2021). I regret and apologise for describing Prof Stabile as 'criminal', 'delinquent' and 'unnatural'. The error is regretted and will not re-occur. I reiterate and maintain my strong views against abortion and will con- tinue to express myself publicly in this regard. Andrew Farrugia