Filenews 5 November 2025 - by Andreas Pogiatzis
The beginning of the period of endemic hunting highlighted the serious environmental crisis that affects the habitats and game of the island. Testimonies from hundreds of hunters reveal that there are very few populations of endemic game left, while extensive destruction of the natural environment is also observed.
Aristos Aristidou, editor-in-chief of the magazine "Hunt and Shoot" and former vice-president of the United Cypriot Hunters Movement, spoke to Filenews, conveying to us the picture that prevails in the Cypriot countryside and habitats. "Our nakedness was revealed. The image of the first day of hunting in Cyprus is tragic," he said, adding that there are no prey and that the destruction of habitats is the responsibility of all of us.
As he explained to us, the populations of almost all endemic prey have been critically reduced. As far as pigeons are concerned, there is an increase, because they are cautious birds that fly at high altitudes, while at the same time finding shelters in areas forbidden for hunting.
As far as the partridge and the hare are concerned, their survival is inextricably intertwined with drought. In the last 3-4 years, due to the drought and the lack of measures to support these species, there has been a huge decrease in their populations. In addition, the hare is the most highly motivated species, without strict protection measures against poaching, or its natural predators (foxes, wild cats). Regarding the fox, there is an increase in its population, because this species has no natural enemy.
An increase is also observed in the populations of corvids (goat, magpies and crows), which pose an equally great threat to the endemic prey.
Another species that now threatens prey is cats that hunt 24 hours a day. In fact, the increase in cats in mountain communities and areas adjacent to habitats may be due to human factors. As we were told, several owners of holiday homes bring cats to their premises to protect them from snakes and mice.
As far as the human factor is concerned, there is also the phenomenon of the exploitation of plots of land for commercial and even recreational purposes, the work of which destroys natural habitats. "Everything is against the prey," Mr. Aristidou told us.
The task of Thira is difficult
"The number and means of gamekeepers cannot fight poaching from the Tower of Tylliria to Paralimni". As we were told, for the entire district of Limassol, there is only one to two patrols.
"Our hunting system doesn't help." Mr. Aristidou gave the example of Lithuania which is divided into sectors, with each sector being controlled by law by the local associations. In fact, each association must carry out projects so that it can secure the relevant license. In addition, all penalties from the state for habitat damage end up in the associations, as a result of which the hunters themselves protect both the environment and the prey.
As far as our country is concerned, there are a few thousand hunters, who voluntarily take care of the environment and habitats. In fact, the offer of some associations to extinguish the fires should not go unnoticed. Nevertheless, the vast majority of hunters, who are tens of thousands, are content only to keep their license and hunt.
As Mr. Aristidou told us, there is a proposal to amend the hunting legislation, which has been under processing since 2021. The amendment proposes, among other things, that the revenues arising from the fees for securing a hunting license (€77) should end up with the hunting associations, provided that the associations will be the ones responsible for the protection and management of the habitats in their areas.
"The situation is not only attributed to chronic drought, but mainly to the lack of systematic protection and care of nature. The bill to amend hunting legislation has remained inactive since 2021, stuck in legal processing."
According to Mr. Aristidou, despite repeated calls, illegal activities continue unhindered", which causes anger to legal hunters and further damage to wildlife. A similarly disappointing picture is presented in the occupied territories, where the absence of protection measures led to the same results.
In order to effectively deal with both habitat destruction and population reduction, Aristedou argues that radical measures should be taken, such as limiting or even temporarily freezing the hunting season for endemic game. He also argued that it should become mandatory for all hunters to join associations with an active role in habitat management, programs for reforestation and strengthening of game populations as well as intensification of controls using cameras to combat poaching.
