Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/774426
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 18 JANUARY 2017 News Injured swan spotted at St Thomas Bay JEANELLE MIFSUD ANOTHER juvenile Mute Swan has been spotted, this time at St Thomas Bay, Marsaskala, according to BirdLife Malta, which said the bird was injured. After spending some time at St Thomas Bay, the bird reportedly flew to its current location in Birżebbuġa, where it is under the watch of members of the Administrative Law Enforcement. The NGO said that the swan seemed to be one of another flock, as the 12 Mute Swans currently sheltering in Marsalforn Valley in Gozo are all ac- counted for. Writing on its official Facebook page, BirdLife not- ed, however, that the swan was injured, pointing to bloodstains in the underpart of the right wing, close to its body. BirdLife Malta's CEO, Mark Sultana, held hunters responsible, saying that "it is disheartening and a shame that once again some hunters still defy good- will and common respect to laws and to nature and try to kill such a beauty. "Birds are indeed for everyone to enjoy and not for anyone to kill or capture egoistically," he said. Police from the Administrative Law Enforcement Section, and volunteers from Wild Bird Rehabilita- tion and BirdLife Malta are currently conducting an operation to capture the swan in order to assess the extent of its injury and to treat it. BirdLife Malta said it is adamant to keep on work- ing in collaboration with all stakeholders to eradi- cate illegal hunting in Malta. Authorities are currently undertaking an operation to capture the swan in order to assess the extent of its injury and to treat it accordingly Despite being injured, the bird was still able to fly NGOs: PA blocking appeal 'a monstrous attempt at censoring civil society' YANNICK PACE FLIMKIEN ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA), Friends of the Earth Mal- ta, Ramblers Association of Mal- ta and the Qui-si-Sana Residents Association – the NGOs appeal- ing the Planning Authority's (PA) approval of the Townsquare and Mriehel high-rises – have vowed to continue fighting to protect the environment, despite the Planning Authority's attempt to stop them from exercising their right to appeal. In November, the PA, through its lawyer Robert Abela, had argued that the Sliema local council, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) and green NGOs, had already been represented on the PA board when the project was approved and as such had "no right to ap- peal" the PA's approval of the Sliema high-rise. "As NGOs we represent thou- sands of our members who hold Malta's environment, heritage and the health of its citizens at heart. NGOs are the voice of the people and of future generations, appealing in order to protect res- idents' rights to liveable towns, where major projects such as these are preceded by full studies taking into account the impact of increased traffic, the load on ex- isting infrastructure and social impact, not to mention the tow- ers' visual impact on Valletta's World Heritage skyline and the vista of Mdina," read a statement by the NGOs. In it, they say that the PA's at- tempt to try and eradicate their right to appeal is a monstrous at- tempt at censoring civil society, adding that it is "particularly de- plorable" given that this right is clearly provided for at law. "The PA wants to dictate who can appeal and who may not. It doesn't want NGOs to appeal, nor does it want the ERA to ap- peal. This imposition is clearly beyond its remit – especially as the right to appeal is enshrined in the law. It is totally unaccep- table for an authority to militate against civil society's rights," said FAA spokesperson Astrid Vella. The Environment and Planning Review Tribunal is expected to announce a decision on this point tomorrow, with the NGOs saying that whatever the decision, they will continue fighting. "We will challenge this at every stage, in every forum, in every court. This is a cause worth fighting for." Injured swan spotted at St Thomas Bay Despite being injured, the bird was still able to fly The NGOs appealing the Townsquare and Mriehel high-rises have said that they will challenge the decision in every forum and every court PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES BIANCHI/MEDIATODAY