Hunt to find killer of “poisoned” kite

PALMA
THE Balearic Minister for the Environment, Miquel Angel Grimalt, announced yesterday that a kite had been found dead in Bunyola, and it had “probably been poisoned”.

He warned that the Balearic Government “will pursue those who did this” and bring them to justice, as the kite is a protected species and hunting it is a crime.

Grimalt said that the kite which was found dead on Tuesday by bird watchers who follow the Majorcan kite population “was not an isolated case” as during the last year 11 kites have been found dead, of which eight were found on Majorca and three on Minorca.

He said that one of the kites had been electrocuted, while another three were poisoned, as was suspected with another four of the dead birds.
The Minister added that, because of their carrion nature, these birds easily fall victim to the poison used by some hunters to kill predators.
With regard to this, he mentioned the “seriousness” of this practice which, according to him, could mean the closure of game reserves and the banning of those responsible from obtaining a hunting licence for a period of up to four years.

Grimalt asked for public cooperation to catch those responsible for the poisoning, although he admitted that it will be “very complicated” because the person has to be “caught in the act” of laying the poison.