Grisly Discovery: Nearly 200 Protected Birds Slaughtered in Malta

Jace Shoemaker-Galloway — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:57:55 +0000

The remains of nearly 200 protected birds have been discovered in Malta. The Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) and the BirdLife Malta Raptor Camp located the carcasses under trash and stones in the woodland area of Mizieb. The organizations are currently running two separate migration and observation camps. Nearly 400 species of birds have been recorded on Malta, which is a central migration route across the Mediterranean.

From Israel’s National Bird to Energy Independence

Heidi Suydam — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:12:00 +0000

All across the US and the world news agencies are reporting, Israel has chosen a national bird. In honor of their 60th anniversary as a country, they concluded a nationwide campaign to appoint a national bird. Some news articles are making sure we know the chosen bird is not kosher. Others are celebrating the fact that the bird species is known for being monogamous and taking good care of its young. The Jerusalem Post tells of Jewish folklore associating the bird with King Solomon and also quotes the Torah (Leviticus 11:19) which establishes that this bird is unfit for eating. The chosen bird is the Hoopoe.

Israel, a tiny country, making world news in choosing a national bird. Why? The world watches Israel and as Americans we will see our new President continuously re-evaluate our relationship with her as a friend and ally. Some in our country believe our alliance with Israel causes us hardships with terrorist groups and some Arab nations. Of course it is from Arab nations that we purchase much of our oil. Mentioning Arab oil we are igniting a discussion about oil and energy independence. As an energy independent nation we would be free to befriend and help any country we choose without the threat of our oil supply being terminated or exploited. Now we can embark on a discussion about energy independence, using alternative energy sources. As a country we need to decrease our dependence on oil altogether. All this from the mention of Israel choosing a national bird.

One country, younger than my parents, defying the odds at its inception and surviving many challenges during these last 60 years. With the help of some and despite the enmity of others, Israel has survived. As the news of this beautiful national bird circles the globe, those of us who give great importance to environmental and political issues can celebrate too. The choosing of this bird has brought the Society of the Protection of Nature in Israel, the Israel Ornithological Society and the Jerusalem Bird Observatory into the limelight. Bringing them attention and hopefully financial donations to help their environmental causes. In an article from the Associated Press, Ornithologist Amir Balaban stated,

“We’re moving into our adulthood, as an adult state we should be working on protecting our environment.”

He, of course, is referring to Israel as a nation moving into their adulthood. I believe we can apply that as citizens of a great country and global community. We should all be working on protecting our environment.

Photo Credit: belgianchocolate via Flickr under Creative Commons Liscense

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Grisly Discovery: Nearly 200 Protected Birds Slaughtered in Malta

From Israel’s National Bird to Energy Independence