Unlicensed taxidermists believed to be helping hunters stuff protected birds

Authorities believe there could be as many as three times the number of licensed taxidermists, operating without a licence.

A police investigator focused on wildlife crime told Times of Malta how he and other officers were currently investigating a number of taxidermists believed to be helping hunters stuff protected birds shot down in Malta and abroad.  

“There are a number of these persons across the island – practically in every locality, some of whom we are investigating.

“People will pay quite a hefty price to have these birds stuffed, as there is almost no point shooting them down if you can’t add them to a collection,” the source said. 

The source noted that there were around a dozen licensed taxidermists in Malta.

However, there were at least 30 others who operated without any licence to do so.

These unlicensed taxidermists are of particular interest to the authorities as they were suspected of being involved in the smuggling of protected birds shot by Maltese hunters abroad.  

Last week, the police swooped in on one such taxidermist, raiding his home and Mosta pet store.  

On Saturday the police’s Administrative Law Enforcement (ALE) unit uncovered 53 dead protected...