Malta to Hold Short Spring Hunting Season Despite Court Ruling

Malta will hold a six-day bird hunt later this month, the government announced today. The decision comes seven months after the island was found to be in breach of European law for spring hunts staged from 2004 to 2007.

The Maltese government will issue 2,500 special licenses allowing hunters to shoot two species of birds from April 24 to April 30 and limiting the total bagging to 3,900 quail and 3,600 turtle doves, it said today in an e-mailed statement. Names of the hunters granted special licenses, which will cost 25 euros ($33.62), will be drawn in a lottery, the government said.