Filenews 4 April 2025
A 5% decrease in bird trapping compared to last year, the British Bases Police recorded, underlining that this percentage jumps to 97% compared to 2016 figures.
The data were announced during a press conference at the Dhekelia police station, where it became apparent that the poachers of birds fall into the traps they set.
Senior Lieutenant Officer Fanos Christodoulou, who oversees the Special Community Action Group (SCO), explained: "We will once again work very closely with Bird Life Cyprus and the Committee Against Bird Slaughter to combat the entrapment of vine birds."
"As always, we will continue to develop our technology, with drones, CCTV and night vision goggles and any other modern means of detection. This is a serious crime and we will continue to deal with it with everything at our disposal," he said.
During a demonstration of the team's capabilities at the station premises, trained police officers simulated a bird trapping raid to demonstrate some of the methods used to catch trappers who use nets in their attempt to trap vines migrating through the Bases.
Senior Lieutenant Christodoulou explained: "Before the birds start migrating, the trappers will clear large areas so that they can set up nets, in which the birds will then be caught as they fly.
"We have assembled a team full of experts and in close cooperation with non-governmental organizations, we are able to identify locations within the bases that we believe are being prepared by trappers and dismantle them."
"We will have other areas under surveillance, so if trappers enter the area, we will be ready for them and they will be arrested."
Last year, BB police made nine arrests for bird trapping, comparing favourably with the high number of 47 in 2016-17 and 13 in 2023-2024.
Explaining why the reduction in arrests is positive, the Senior Lieutenant continued: "Simply put, there is now less bird trapping within the bases, as we are doing a good job of eliminating the problem."
The migratory period for vinebirds lasts between September and October and is then followed by the migratory period of thrush between November and February.
