Footage Captures Hunter Crushing Protected Kestrel to Death in Ħal Farruġ
In brief
- BirdLife Malta released video footage showing a hunter crushing a protected common kestrel under his foot in Ħal Farruġ.
- The incident took place at around 8:00 am on Sunday during routine monitoring of the autumn hunting season.
- The conservation organisation condemned the killing as an intentional act of cruelty after the bird died at the scene.
BirdLife Malta has published video footage showing a hunter killing a protected common kestrel by stepping on it in Ħal Farruġ.
The incident took place at around 8:00 am on Sunday during routine field monitoring conducted as part of the organisation's autumn hunting surveillance campaign.
According to the conservation group, the hunter was filmed placing his foot directly on the grounded bird of prey and applying pressure until the animal died.
The common kestrel is a protected species under both Maltese and European wildlife regulations, meaning that hunting, capturing, or harming the bird is strictly illegal.
BirdLife Malta described the recorded action as a deliberate act of animal cruelty, pointing out that such acts undermine conservation efforts aimed at protecting migratory birds travelling across the Maltese Islands.
The organisation regularly deploys field monitors throughout the autumn hunting season to document potential wildlife crimes and report illicit hunting activity to law enforcement authorities.
The Spin Room
Low media divide. All outlets reported this development consistently without notable framing differences.