Grantee: BirdLife Malta

Project duration: May 2025 – April 2026

 

The Challenge

BirdLife Malta’s mission is to conserve wild birds & their habitats, biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Since 1962, the organisation has been at the forefront of campaigns against the unsustainable hunting and trapping of birds, ineffective legislation, and over-development. It has played a key role in advocating for land and sea protection through bird sanctuaries, protected areas, and Natura 2000 sites.

BirdLife Malta is the only entity authorised by the government to rescue and rehabilitate wild birds, following a protocol overseen by veterinary professionals. Annually, the organisation handles 400-600 cases of injured or stranded wild birds, with 200-300 additional cases handled by government authorities. Around 200-260 of these cases enter rehabilitation.

The Solution

Through this project, BirdLife Malta will upgrade its bird rehabilitation facilities and enhance community engagement through coordinated public events and engaging online content focused on bird release stories. Public events will give attendees the opportunity to see wild birds up close as they are released back into the wild. These releases will be shared through videos and short reels on social media. In addition, the rehabilitated birds will be fitted with tracking devices so their journeys can be followed after their release.

Project Outcomes:

The expected results of this project are:

• Improved facilities at BirdLife Malta’s rehabilitation centre.
• Increased rehabilitation success of injured birds admitted to the centre.
• Greater public support, including an increase in memberships.
• Higher attendance at BirdLife Malta events, particularly public wild bird releases.

 

“We want to give injured birds a second chance, and people a first chance to help! Thanks to MEF’s grant, we can better connect these two aspects of our mission. People often turn to us when they find wild birds in distress, entrusting us with their rescue and care. Now, with this support, we can give back by inviting them to be part of the experience of releasing these birds back into the wild. This grant empowers us to share their stories more widely, raising awareness and fostering collaboration for the protection of our avifauna.”

Nic Barbara, Head of Conservation, Birdlife Malta