Filenews 22 October 2025
Operations against the trapping of Ampelopoulia continue.
According to an announcement from the BB Police, bird trapping remains at low levels as the trapping season comes to an end
The BB Police notes that the operations against bird trapping continue unabated, despite the fact that the migration period of Ampelopoulia ends this month.
Special police officers from the Community Action Group (CCT) worked in cooperation with key Non-Governmental Organizations to detect and deter would-be trappers operating within the BB areas.
Between August 1 and October 17, eight cases of illegal use of nets and three of quail poaching using bird imitation devices have been recorded.
This proactive approach to combating bird trapping has led to a reduction in crime by more than 98 percent since 2016.
Senior Lieutenant of Dhekelia, George Louis, said the police's commitment to tackling bird crime and a coordinated approach with NGO partners – the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) and Bird Life Cyprus – means his team can stay one step ahead of trappers.
He explained that "the BB Police responds proactively to any detected case of bird trapping, either by our partners at Bird Life Cyprus and CABS, or by our own Intelligence Unit.
The OKD can also request support from an additional 60 police officers in the eastern regions of the BB, who patrol 24/7, as well as additional military support when required."
The Commander of the BB, Major General Tom Bewick, also met last week with Bird Life Cyprus and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in Akrotiri, to reinforce his commitment to the cause and assure partners that, despite the great success of the last decade, the momentum will not be lost.
