from The Malta Independent, January 23, 2002

A pointless waste of life

The police and Armed Forces of Malta should be congratulated for the well-coordinated and successful operation that lead to the arrest of the three poachers who ruthlessly and pointlessly killed a flock of eight swans in St Thomas' Bay on Sunday afternoon.

These hunters have not only brought disgrace upon the hunting federation(s) they belong to, but also actively contributed to the endangering and extinction of the rare wildlife species of Europe.

Their actions were made even more disgraceful since the bird slaughterers satisfied their lust for killing these majestic birds in public; in full view of children, tourists and locals who were enjoying this rare spectacle of nature.

I sincerely hope that the Maltese courts will inflict the maximum fine on these scoundrels, who seem to take pleasure in actively adding to the extinction of the common wildlife heritage of Europe.

Tina Hahl


Germany