Hundreds of migratory birds killed by Malta storm, hunters say

MALTA, 5 OCTOBER 2026 —

Malta’s Hunters Kill Hundreds of Stranded Migratory Birds Despite Protected Status, Conservationists Say

The storm disrupted the Central European-Mediterranean flyway, forcing exhausted birds to land in Malta as they migrated from Europe to Africa. Antonia Micallef, public engagement executive at BirdLife Malta, told Mongabay that such "bird falls" create vulnerable concentrations of birds, making them easy targets for hunters.

Malta’s 10,000 active hunters—the highest per capita in Europe—exploited the situation, with volunteers documenting 21 protected birds with confirmed shooting injuries between September 14 and 21, including black storks, little egrets, and European rollers.

The European turtle dove, classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), faced particular pressure. Malta’s autumn hunting quota of 500 birds was reached and closed on September 14, yet BirdLife Malta recorded ongoing illegal hunting in the following days. Volunteers also reported hunters firing at a flock of 150 little egrets, killing at least two and injuring others, including a European bee-eater, night heron, and grey heron.

Three European rollers—a species under strict protection—were also shot, while two black storks, fully protected under EU law, were killed on September 16.

Micallef warned that the incident reflects a broader crisis in the Mediterranean, where 25 million birds are poached annually for sport, taxidermy, social media "trophies," and food—despite EU safeguards. She cited habitat loss, climate change, and illegal hunting as compounding threats to migratory species. Enforcement remains a critical weakness, she said, with environmental police resources "extremely limited" compared to the number of hunters.

The Maltese government has also faced criticism for lenient policies, including large-scale amnesties for poachers and allowing some banned hunters to reapply for licenses.

The Maltese government did not immediately respond to requests for comment. However, BirdLife Malta’s findings align with earlier reports of weak enforcement in the country, where protected species legislation is frequently undermined by loopholes and inadequate monitoring. Conservationists argue that without stricter penalties and increased patrols, illegal hunting will continue to decimate already declining bird populations.

For Malaysia and regional readers, the incident highlights the global challenge of balancing hunting traditions with biodiversity conservation, particularly in ecologically sensitive zones like migration corridors. While Malaysia does not face the same level of illegal hunting pressure as Malta, its own wildlife trafficking and poaching issues—including the trade in protected species—remain a concern, with enforcement agencies frequently citing limited resources and corruption as obstacles.

The Malta case serves as a cautionary example of how legal hunting quotas can be exploited, and how weak enforcement erodes conservation efforts even in EU-member states.

The next steps for BirdLife Malta include escalating the case to EU authorities and pushing for stricter penalties for poachers, including potential license revocations and criminal charges. The organization has also called for increased environmental policing and public awareness campaigns to deter illegal hunting. Meanwhile, the Maltese government’s response—or lack thereof—will determine whether the incident leads to policy reforms or further erosion of protections for migratory birds.

Related: Antonia Micallef · Malta