Bird conservation site structure vandalised

Herman Grech
16 April, 2007

A stone structure erected at a bird conservation site in Mellieha was
reduced to a pile of rubble over the weekend.

The EU Life Yelkouan Shearwater Project at Rdum tal-Madonna, the largest
conservation project on the island, was launched only three weeks ago by
the Prime Minister.

The structure informs visitors about the internationally-protected site
in Mellieha and how to look after the Yelkouan Shearwaters that breed
there.

It was specially designed in discussion with the Malta Environment and
Planning Authority to blend in with the landscape by using local stone
and an innovative, “low-rise” design.

Fortunately, the top of the sign was removed recently to finalise some
repairs to the base. However, the base itself will have to be completely
rebuilt, according to BirdLife Malta, the beneficiary of the project.

Project manager Helen Raine said that while it was in place, the sign
was informing many tourists and visitors about the EU-supported
conservation project and wildlife.

During the launch, the Prime Minister had spoken of the government’s
support for the project. Four of the project partners are government
authorities.

“It is sad to see that the investment made by the partners is not
appreciated by a small minority here who do their best to spoil the
experience of the natural environment and wildlife for everyone else,”
Ms Raine said.

The project is particularly important because Malta holds an estimated
10 per cent of the world’s population of Yelkouan Shearwaters. A third
of these birds breed at Rdum tal-Madonna.

As Malta is so important for these birds, the EU has funded half the
cost of the project through the Life Nature Fund. HSBC and Mepa have
also contributed to the fund.

Part of the funding pays for materials such as the sign to inform the
public about the conservation work going on.

Ms Raine said the project team’s priority was now to get the sign back
in place.

“We have received a huge amount of support for the project from the
community and we will now be working to make sure the sign is replaced
as soon as possible,” Ms Raine said.

Contacted for comment, Environment Minister George Pullicino condemned
all kinds of “physical and verbal” vandalism.

The Mellieha case is the latest in a string of vandal acts. Three weeks
ago, a bus shelter, a farmhouse and a stretch of rubble wall close to
the Neolithic temples in Hagar Qim and Mnajdra were daubed with
pro-hunting slogans.

Days earlier, more than 15 bottles containing spent engine oil were
thrown over the fence into the Nature Reserve at Ghadira.