The Maltese Falcon Poachers: How European Hunters Brought Death And Destruction To Egypt's Migratory Birds

(MENAFN- Pressat) A killing spree in the heart of Egypt-where Europe's hunters exploit poor law enforcement to slaughter protected birds.

For 15 months, The New Arab investigated how Maltese hunters are escaping EU restrictions to poach in Egypt, targeting endangered species protected by millions in EU conservation funds.

In 2024, in a shocking move, Egypt's environment ministry expanded tourist hunting zones to new areas-including New Valley and Sohag.

The hunters' victims include the Egyptian Vulture, the Osprey, and the Lanner Falcon, all classified as endangered. Also hunted: the Northern Lapwing and the European Turtle Dove, both vulnerable in the EU.

The EU has invested €36,451,669 million since 1996 to protect Egyptian Vultures, Ospreys, Lanner Falcons and Turtle Doves among others.

European taxpayers pay to protect them in Europe, while European hunters pay to kill them in Egypt. Who gets to win the battle between tradition and conservation? Is birdwatching the most sustainable alternative to hunting or should hunters be involved in conservation programmes?

This investigation has been partially funded by the Journalism Fund Europe. The Shift News
and Conservation and environmental science news - Mongabay have co-published a set of edited versions of this investigation.

Read the full report here .

For media inquiries, please contact:

Andrea Glioti, Investigative Editor
Email: ...

MENAFN08042025004644010603ID1109401527