in-cyprus 22 September 2025
International wildlife organisation Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) has launched an operation in Cyprus to expose what it alleges is large-scale illegal bird trapping by poachers operating near Maroni.
The campaign, dubbed “Occupy Akas” and supported by BBC presenters Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin, targets what CABS describes as a notorious poaching operation at a site known as “Akas farm” in Cyprus.
CABS claims the operation kills an estimated 30,000 protected birds annually, generating illegal profits of approximately 180,000 euros, whilst alleging that Cypriot authorities have failed to take effective action despite years of reports.
BBC presenters support anti-poaching campaign
The organisation began monitoring the site on Saturday, with activists reporting they observed trappers using six nets in the fenced valley at 6.30am before the suspects allegedly freed birds from nets and removed equipment when they realised they were being watched.
“With an average of 500 birds killed daily and up to 1,000 on a single day, this gang of poachers wipes out some 30,000 birds every year,” CABS General Secretary Alexander Heyd stated, describing the location as “by far the worst black spot for illegal bird trapping in the whole European Union”.
BBC wildlife presenters Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin joined the activists on Saturday, with live coverage broadcast on Packham’s social media channels to document the campaign.
Activists report police inaction over alleged crimes
CABS alleges that despite continuous reports, police typically conduct only one visit per trapping season, seizing minimal equipment whilst imposing what the organisation describes as “laughable” fines compared to alleged illegal profits.
“From the hills above our volunteers can see around half a dozen of illegal mist nets every day, tape lures are playing loudly every night and thousands of dead birds are being carried in buckets out of the farm,” Heyd said, adding that no criminal investigation has been launched despite authorities’ alleged knowledge of the activities.
The organisation contacted police about Saturday’s observations but said officers replied they could not intervene, describing this as “repeated obstruction of justice by public officials”.
Cyprus has long faced criticism from environmental groups over bird trapping, with the European Commission previously taking legal action over inadequate enforcement of wildlife protection laws.
Safety concerns raised over explosive device incident
CABS reported previous safety concerns, alleging that after reporting a suspected gang member for illegal trapping, one police officer was assaulted by the alleged gang leader without subsequent charges being filed.
The organisation said an explosive device later damaged their vehicle’s windshield, raising concerns about activist safety during monitoring operations.
CABS has requested security protection from local authorities for their teams given what they describe as dangerous circumstances surrounding their work.
(Pictures provided by CABS)
