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Black Stork Down: Military Discourses in Bird Conservation in Malta

Campbell, Brian, Veríssimo, Diogo (2015) Black Stork Down: Military Discourses in Bird Conservation in Malta. Human Ecolgyy: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 43 (1). pp. 79-92. ISSN 0300-7839. E-ISSN 1572-9915. (doi:10.1007/s10745-015-9724-6) (KAR id:49000)

Abstract

Tensions between Maltese hunters and bird conservation NGOs have intensified over the past decade. Conservation NGOs have become frustrated with the Maltese State for conceding to the hunter lobby and negotiating derogations from the European Union’s Bird Directive. Some NGOs have recently started to organize complex field-operations where volunteers are trained to patrol the landscape, operate drones and other surveillance technologies, detect illegalities, and lead police teams to arrest poachers. We describe the sophisticated military metaphors which conservation NGOs have developed to describe, guide and legitimize their efforts to the Maltese public and their fee-paying members. We also discuss why such groups might be inclined to adopt these metaphors. Finally, we suggest that anthropological studies of discourse could help understand delicate contexts such as this where conservation NGOs, hunting associations and the State have ended in political deadlock.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1007/s10745-015-9724-6
Uncontrolled keywords: Animal welfare, Governance, Malta, Migratory birds, Trapping
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation
Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation > DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology)
Depositing User: B. Campbell
Date Deposited: 10 Jun 2015 15:44 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Dec 2022 00:58 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/49000 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Campbell, Brian.

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