A man has been sentenced to a year in prison over the shooting and killing of four flamingos last year in Qawra.

The man, 24-year-old Miguel Zammit from Gżira, was also disqualified from holding a hunting license.

Zammit had initially pleaded not guilty to charges and requested bail, but his request was turned down as this was a “clear case of poaching and that the accused could not have shot at the protected birds in error”.

As a first-time offence, shooting at the protected birds can result in anything from a €5,000 fine to a one-year jail term, as well as losing your licence.

After a flock of flamingos was shot, police were informed about the site it had happened at as well as a vehicle allegedly belonging to the man who fired the shots.

From searches conducted, police found firearms, ammunition and four dead flamingos.

With the assistance of the Armed Forces of Malta, three flamingos were lifted from the sea, while the other was found on the rocks.