A conservationist is appealing for volunteers to help save endangered species from slaughter.

Ornithologist Dr. Andrew Raine, of St. George's, is at the forefront of the fight against the illegal hunting of birds on Malta.

As a central stop-over on the migratory route between Europe and North Africa, thousands of birds pass over the island during the spring and autumn, making Malta a prime destination for hunters.

As Conservation Manager of BirdLife Malta, Dr. Raine last year photographed 80 protected species which were among those killed.

The Wall Street Journal last week featured his conservation work in a front-page story.

Dr. Raine is now encouraging Bermudians to get involved in the fight against the slaughter. BirdLife Malta — a charity linked to the UK's Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, is to run a conservation camp called Spring Watch from April 14-29, and Dr. Raine is looking for volunteers.

A similar camp during the autumn migration attracted 57 international participants.

Dr. Raine, 33, said: "This is an excellent chance to make a genuine contribution to wildlife conservation, and experience life in another country.

"You will be given the opportunity to get involved in serious conservation work and, more importantly, play a part in Malta's fight to stop illegal spring hunting.

"At the end of the day, bird conservation is an international issue as birds don't recognise country boundaries and move freely over borders during their migrations, so we should all care about what happens in places like Malta.

"This year there is a strong possibility that spring hunting — illegal throughout the rest of the European Union — will be banned for the very first time in Malta.

"If this is the case, then it is vital that BirdLife Malta maintains a strong presence in the countryside to make sure that hunters respect the law, while at the same time recording data on migratory species.

"However, if Malta goes against the European Commission and once again breaks European law by allowing spring hunting, then volunteers will be needed to demonstrate the impact of this hunting season, while at the same time making sure that hunters do not target protected species.

For more information, email: nicholas.crockford@birdlifemalta.org">nicholas.crockford@birdlifemalta.org about 'Spring Watch Malta' or log onto: www.birdlifemalta.org