Filenews 1 August 2023
With a month to go until the start of the so-called illegal bird trapping season, BA police say more investment has been made in detection technology that they expect soon to reduce the number of birds trapped in mist nets and limesticks.
August 31 to October 31 marks the migration season of Ampelopouli and the SBA Police has said it is trying to continue the success of the past seven years by reducing illegal activity, keeping it at a record low.
Police officers belonging to the Community Action Task Force (CAT) aimed at fighting crime in the Dhekelia area revealed that since its establishment in 2016, trapping has decreased by almost 100%.
According to last season's statistics, bird trapping since 2015 decreased overall by 98.2%, with net use decreasing by 98.4% and limestick reeds decreasing by 92%.
The Head of the SBA Police's Bird Trapping Team, Senior Lieutenant Pertev Karagozlou, also confirmed that 11 arrests were made for illegal bird trapping last season.
Discussing last year's results and the investment being made for the upcoming season, Senior Lieutenant Karagozlou said that despite their recent success, his team will not be complacent.
He explained: "We have achieved a lot since we started the CAT seven years ago and we will continue with the same strategy and cooperation together with our key partners from 'Bird Life Cyprus', the Committee Against Bird Slaughter, the 'Royal Society for the Protection of Birds', the Cyprus Police, the Game and Fauna Service and of course our own Environmental Departments.
"We have secured funding that allows us to invest in more detection technology, so those who intend to trap birds will be arrested and prosecuted.
"The SBA Police have a zero-tolerance policy on bird trapping and when a person is caught, expect to be prosecuted and face heavy fines or even a penalty
