Malta’s spring hunting season for the vulnerable European Turtle Dove has officially been opened.

This comes after environmental NGO BirdLife Malta filed a prohibitory injunction stopping Malta’s authorities from releasing the legal notice related to the hunting of the turtle dove. The warrant of prohibitory injunction is very similar to that filed last year by BirdLife Malta and which was presided by Judge Audrey Demicoli.

The judge presiding over the case, Giovanni Grixti, did not accept BirdLife’s request to not open the season and granted Malta’s hunters permission as of today.

This means that the season is now open for both quail and turtle doves, with the season running until 30th April.

Before the season was opened, a number of turtle doves had already been found dead, meaning that illegal hunting was taking place.

It’s important to note that the EU Commission also recently threatened to take legal action against Malta if it continues to hunt the vulnerable turtle dove.

Do you think hunters should be permitted to hunt a vulnerable bird?