Gozo - Police confiscate illegal quail trap containing dead hedgehog

Source: Gozo News

Gozo - Police confiscate illegal quail trap containing dead hedgehog

Members of the Malta Ranger Unit in Gozo called for Police assistance after locating an illegal device ('trabokk' in Maltese), used for bird trapping and which, the MRU stressed, is illegal all year around.

The Rangers stated that "only nets are allowed for bird trapping during open season."

The MRU said that inside the trap there was a dead quail and a dead hedgehog. It will therefore also be a matter for ERA - Environment & Resources Authority due to the illegal entrapment of a protected species.

The MRU explained that the type of cage trap for quail shown above in the photo, illegally lures the bird in and closes the cage when they step on a lever inside.Unfortunately a hedgehog went for it and was entrapped and left there to starve to death.

The MRU expressed thanks to the Gozo Police for their swift response.

The MRU also reminded that Government that "Gozo still is without a specialised unit, Environmental Protection Unit Police, which is much needed to see to all the environmental crimes happening on a daily basis on the island."

It also noted that "Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri still hasn't communicated with the MRU after cancelling our meeting and has therefore been reported to the Ombudsman for breaching Directive 4-2."

The MRU concluded by saying that "our Unit has therefore not been allowed to highlight with the Minister the many environmental illegalities we see in Gozo regularly."