in-cyprus 11 October 2024
Conservationists have reported an increase in illegal songbird trapping across Cyprus, with active trapping sites nearly doubling compared to the previous year.
The Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) documented 71 active sites in September, a crucial month for songbird migration, up from 37 in 2022.
“Most of the birds were Blackcaps – Ambelopoulia – but we also rescued dozens of protected owls, shrikes, warblers, nightingales and other songbirds”, said CABS spokeswoman Stefania Travaglia.
Following reports to authorities, 25 men were successfully convicted. Officials confiscated 883 limesticks, 51 nets and numerous illegal bird-calling devices. During joint operations with police and game wardens, 552 birds were found alive and released after being carefully cleaned of adhesive.
Hotspots for illegal trapping were identified near Maroni, Aradippou and Avgorou. However, CABS noted that their teams could only monitor a small portion of areas used for illegal trapping in Cyprus.
Dr Andrea Rutigliano, a CABS council member, criticised the newly re-established Anti-Poaching Unit of the Cyprus Police for apparent inaction on bird poaching.
“Illegal trapping and trade of protected birds is Cyprus´s most prevalent wildlife crime. How is it that most cases are still being investigated by the local police or the game wardens and not by the unit which bears the words “anti-poaching” in its name?”, Rutigliano asked.
The organisation also highlighted concerns that game wardens lack the same authority and equipment as police when confronting offenders, some of whom reportedly earn substantial sums from the illegal trade.
Despite prompt responses from game wardens to reported incidents, CABS emphasised that without reports from NGOs, proactive enforcement in many areas remains limited.
