Ever since the age of four, wildlife conservationist Andre Raine always knew what his mission in life was.

As a child the future ornithologist told his parents, artist Jill Amos Raine and the late David Raine, author and historian, that he wanted to create a safari park. Years later, his interest in wildlife led him to handrear Longtails and Cahows with conservationist David Wingate, and to travel the ends of the earth in the quest to save endangered species.

His destinations have included Peru, Vietnam, the Seychelles and Zambia, but for the past year he has been working as a Conservation Officer for BirdLife Malta. His work there found him on the front page of the Wall Street Journal on Friday.

Dr. Raine, 33, has spent the past year on the Meditteranean island attempting to thwart the hunting of migratory birds. Malta's location between northern Europe and Africa makes it a prime destination on the migratory route, but that also makes it a hunters' paradise.

The Wall Street Journal reported Dr. Raine describing the Island as "the black hole of Europe" in terms of the danger to avian populations. The hunting season is centered around the twice-yearly migration of thousands of birds, some of which are endangered.

Dr. Raine ¿ who has a Phd in Conservation ¿ takes photographs of those shot down for BirdLife Malta in a bid to stop the slaughter by licensed bird hunters.

His recent pictures include bloodied marsh harriers, alpine swifts and harriers.

BirdLife Malta is situated in Ta'Xbiex, a suburb of capital Valletta. The organisation is allied with the UK's Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and has a network of volunteer spotters on the island watching for abuses.

Last year Dr. Raine photographed 80 protected birds killed by hunters.

The European Union meanwhile has criticised Malta for abuses of its 1979 Birds Directive and the illegal shooting of protected species. The EU's environment commissioner is currently attempting to bring the country before the European Court of Justice.

Yesterday Mrs. Amos Raine said she was convinced her son could make a difference and bring an end to the slaughter.

"He is very interested in Malta because it's on the migratory route and the spring hunt has been banned by the EU but the hunters continue," she said. "But if I know Andre he'll turn this around while he's there."

Dr. Raine, who is married to Helen, from England, has another three years to go on his project. Mrs. Amos Raine said her son became inspired to become an ornithologist through his uncle Eric ¿ one of Bermuda's authorities on birds, and the migratory birds which come to the Island. Dr. Raine is also the author of 'A Field Guide to the Birds of Bermuda'.

"Ornithology has been his main interest in life, but Andre has never changed or wavered from his interest in wildlife," she said.

Mrs. Amos Raine, 65, of St. George's, said she was "proud" to see her son on the front page of the Wall Street Journal, but added: "I'm always proud of him because he's had a very clear vision throughout his life and was determined to get the best possible education to make a difference."