New Generation? Fertile Egg Gives Hope After Mysterious Xemxija Chicken Deaths
An animal lover looking for survivors after the mysterious mass death of a chicken colony near the Olympic Gardens found a fertile egg which he is trying to incubate.
“After all chickens where killed at Xemxija roundabout which I, like many, used to feed, I went to have a look if maybe I can save some small ones, which I never found – except for this egg lying in the middle of the roundabout,” JohnPaul Fenech said, sharing a photo of the egg.
“So I decided to give it a try and incubate it. This is day seven and veins are starting to come out. That small black dot at the bottom of the egg could be the start of a new life.”
A spate of deaths in a beloved chicken colony in Xemxija has residents, many of whom used to feed them, puzzled and angry, and curious to get to the bottom of what has happened.
Many suspect that poisoning may be involved – either voluntarily or involuntarily.
This colony have been a familiar sight in the area for quite a few years. Many drop by to feed them. In a country quite bereft of wildlife, many rejoice to see some form of animal life thriving naturally.
Fenech is trying to preserve their genetic lineage for a new generation.
Opposition MP Graziella Galea has lamented the incident and aired her concerns, asking the Animal Commissioner to investigate. She also asked Animal Rights Minister Anton Refalo whether there was an investigation into the case.
Refalo replied that the investigation is still underway. Meanwhile attempts by Lovin Malta to receive comment from the St Pauls Bay Local Council have not yet been answered.
Meanwhile a second wave of deaths has been reported by residents.
One resident claimed she tried to report the case to Animal Welfare but said she wasn’t taken seriously:
“They asked if they were injured which obviously they are not. They are dead and he wouldn’t do anything, said he will ‘make a report but unless injured they won’t send anyone’. I asked what Animal Welfare is for if not to investigate chickens being poisoned.”
The main concern, besides the dead chickens, is that if someone spread poison, not necessarily targeting the chickens but other pests such as snails, there might still be be toxic material which could be ingested by unsuspecting pets out on walks.
Residents believe that they deserve some answers soon.
And as for the lone egg, hopefully Fenech’s efforts will regenerate this chicken tribe.
Photo credits: Graziella Galea
JeanPaul Fenech
Joanna Hodges
What do you make of this strange case?
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