Pafos Live 9 October 2025
The Game and Fauna Service informs that in the coming days the process of releasing 80,000 partridges in all the hunting grounds of free Cyprus will be completed.
However, released partridges are already under severe pressure from stray dogs and foxes, which results in significant losses. For this reason, hunters who go out for the purpose of identifying or training their hunting dogs are asked to avoid passing near the release nuclei and especially if the partridges are inside the nuclei. The presence of hunting dogs in these areas causes intense stress and disruption to partridges, leading to a further burden on already stressed populations.
At the same time, due to the prolonged drought, the operation of artificial watering troughs becomes critical for the survival of game species. Our Service, in collaboration with the hunting associations, has intensified the supply of watering troughs, as many natural springs have dried up. The excessive use of watering troughs by wildlife but unfortunately also by herds, stray animals and hunting dogs results in the rapid depletion of water.
All hunters, in a spirit of cooperation and responsibility, are invited to immediately inform the Service or the local hunting associations in cases where drinking troughs without water are found. Their contributions are crucial for wildlife conservation.
In the meantime, our Service's recent counts confirm the concerns expressed at the Scientific Conference on June 1, 2025, organized by the Cyprus Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Federation. In particular, the reduced rainfall of recent years has negatively affected mainly the populations of partridges and francolins.
The results of the measurements show that:
• The population of partridges shows a decrease of more than 40% compared to the corresponding count last year (2024). This means that in some areas the reduction is even greater, which can exceed 80%, especially in the mountains and semi-mountains, while in others it is smaller.
• The hare population shows an increase of close to 10% compared to the corresponding count last year (2024) which was reduced by 21% compared to the relevant count of 2023. This means that in some areas the populations of hares may even show a decrease, while in others the increase in the population may be greater than the above percentage.
It is worth noting that the above estimates preceded the recent large fire in Mountainous Limassol, which has already caused further losses to local game populations. By the way, it is recalled that the area in question, which has been affected by the fires, has already been declared a prohibited hunting area.
Based on the above data, the Game and Fauna Service calls on all hunters to show the maximum possible responsibility during the upcoming hunting season. The current state of game does not mean that the effects are irreversible, but on the other hand we should all be ready to make bold and difficult decisions if necessary, for the benefit of the game.
Strict compliance with the legal provisions and the harvest limits is not only a legal obligation but an imperative.
