---
title: "Two Arrested After Protected Squacco Herons Shot at Żonqor Coast"
date: 2026-08-15T02:02:21.183+00:00
updated: 2026-08-15T08:01:43.116+00:00
topics: ["Environment", "Crime", "National"]
canonical: https://filqosor.com/article/2026-08-15/two-arrested-after-protected-squacco-herons-shot-at-zonqor-coast
source: Fil-Qosor
---

# Two Arrested After Protected Squacco Herons Shot at Żonqor Coast

## In brief

- Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the shooting of protected Squacco Herons.
- The incident occurred at the Żonqor coast, where a hunter was filmed targeting the birds.
- BirdLife Malta reported the incident, leading to police action and the involvement of the Environmental Protection Unit.

Police have arrested two individuals following the shooting of protected Squacco Herons at the Żonqor coast. The incident came to light after a hunter was reportedly filmed targeting a flock of these birds.

BirdLife Malta confirmed that it had reported the incident, providing information that led to the police intervention. The Squacco Heron is a protected species, making its hunting illegal.

The Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) was also involved in the apprehension of the suspects. Further details regarding the investigation are expected to be released as the case progresses.

Further details have emerged regarding the shooting incident at the Żonqor coastline, confirming that three protected Squacco Herons were killed yesterday morning. A hunter was allegedly filmed targeting a flock of migratory birds resting near the shore. This information adds to earlier reports of arrests made in connection with the incident, which was initially brought to light by BirdLife Malta and involved the Environmental Protection Unit.

A recent incident involving the shooting of three protected Squacco Herons along Malta's Żonqor coast was captured on film by a BirdLife Malta monitoring team. The team was actively watching and filming from a distance when they witnessed a hunter killing the birds.

This footage played a key role in the police investigation that followed. Earlier today, Fil-Qosor reported on [the arrest of two individuals in connection with this incident](/article/2026-08-15/two-arrested-after-protected-squacco-herons-shot-at-zonqor-coast).

## The Spin Room

**Low media divide.** Newsbook reported the factual details of how the incident was filmed.

## Updates

- **2026-08-15:** Updated with details that a BirdLife Malta monitoring team filmed the incident, leading to the arrests.

## Sources (4)

- [Newsbook](https://newsbook.com.mt/en/hunter-filmed-killing-protected-herons-at-zonqor/)
- [TVM News](https://tvmnews.mt/en/news/birdlife-malta-says-police-arrested-two-over-shooting-of-squacco-herons/ "BirdLife Malta says police arrested two over shooting of Squacco Herons")
- [Lovin Malta](https://lovinmalta.com/news/local/watch-protected-herons-shot-down-in-broad-daylight-at-zonqor/)
- [The Malta Independent](https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2026-08-14/local-news/Hunter-filmed-shooting-flock-of-protected-Squacco-Herons-at-Zonqor-coast-EPU-apprehends-suspects-6736292124)

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