Poacher caught shooting turtle dove in Gozo four hours after season closed

A poacher was caught allegedly shooting a turtle dove in Gozo just four hours after the hunting season quota had been reached and the season closed, according to the Malta Ranger Unit.

The ranger unit said one of its rangers in Gozo heard a hunter firing what appeared to be an illegal shotgun, with five consecutive shots heard instead of the permitted three.

The ranger subsequently spotted the man allegedly shooting a turtle dove before hiding the bird, the unit said in a Facebook post.

According to the Malta Ranger Unit, the incident occurred around four hours after the quota for turtle dove had been reached and hunters had been informed by the Wild Birds Regulation Unit that the season had closed.

The Police were alerted and, following evidence gathered by the ranger, Gozo Police officers managed to identify the suspect immediately.

The suspect is expected to face court proceedings over the alleged illegalities. The Malta Ranger Unit thanked the Gozo Police for their “quick assistance”.

The organisation also used the incident to renew its call for the deployment of an Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) police unit in Gozo.

“Gozo STILL doesn’t have an EPU Police unit,” the ranger unit said, arguing that such a unit would help deter illegal hunting practices and increase the chances of offenders being caught.