Despite unexpected challenges, the FKNK continues its Turtle Dove Conservation efforts.

Turtle Dove - Ġuża

The Federation for Hunting and Conservation – Malta (FKNK) is fully committed to contributing to the conservation of the turtle dove through its Captive Breeding and Release into the Wild Project, despite the unexpected challenges of this year.

Thanks to the Research Programme operated by the FKNK during the spring hunting season, a number of licensed trapper members chose to trap turtle doves using the traditional method rather than hunt them, and donated the doves they caught to the FKNK project.  Shortly after two turtle doves had been netted during the research, the FKNK released them equipped with satellite transmitters.

During the last week of April, the FKNK released the first turtle dove named Mary equipped with a satellite transmitter.  This bird, caught in Malta, flew to Sicily and is currently in an area beneath Mount Etna.  These monitoring efforts provide crucial scientific information on the behaviour and movement of turtle doves in the wild.

At the beginning of May, the FKNK released the second turtle dove, Guza, which had been caught in Gozo on 3 May, also equipped with a satellite transmitter.  Guza travelled up the west coast of Italy, reaching an area near Civitavecchia — considered one of the most important areas in Italy for the breeding turtle dove population.  This information is already providing valuable insights into the migration behaviour of this species.

However, while the FKNK was finalising preparations for the annual release of hundreds of captive-bred turtle doves as part of the Project, the regulator informed them of new restrictions on birds and poultry due to the local presence of Newcastle Disease.  As a direct consequence of these emergency measures, the planned release could not go ahead, and also no turtle doves were released during the Imnarja celebrations, as the FKNK has done in recent years.  The release of other turtle doves equipped with satellite transmitters was also prevented by this restriction.

However, now that the regulator has lifted the restrictions due to the Newcastle Disease, the FKNK, as in previous years, will be releasing a number of turtle doves during the Feast of St Julian's celebrations. This release follows the salute to St Julian's, when several FKNK members fire "blank" cartridges from the roof of St Julian's Church.  St. Julian’s is regarded as the Patron Saint of Maltese hunters.

The FKNK reiterates its commitment to the long-term conservation Project for the turtle dove through practical, science-based initiatives and will continue to keep the public and its members informed of any new developments.