Record fine imposed for poisoning wild birds

A record €21,000 fine has been imposed for the killing of wild birds using poison baits, BirdLife Cyprus said on Monday.

The fine represents a big step forward that will hopefully have a strong deterrent effect on similar illegal actions which have a devastating impact on Cyprus wildlife, the NGO said.

The fine relates to offences committed in December 2021 when three birds of prey, two Bonelli’s Eagles and one Long-legged Buzzard, were found dead near Dierona village in the Limassol district.

The dead birds were located through the signals of the GPS transmitter that had been fitted on one of the eagles. The game and fauna service then carried out an investigation in the area in collaboration with the police.

The necropsy and related toxicological analyses on the dead birds showed their death was caused by carbofuran, a highly toxic and banned substance.

Evidence collected linked the mortality of the birds to a specific individual.

The suspect was handed a €21,000 fine for the offence of killing wild birds with the use of poison and the offence of intentionally killing and/or capturing a protected wild bird under the provisions of the Protection and Management of Wild Birds and Game Law of 2003.

“This is the first time in Cyprus that the offence of using poisoned baits and killing wild birds with the use of poison has been documented,” BirdLife said.

It added that in the case the fine is not paid, the suspect will be taken to court.

According to the provisions of the law, the court can impose a prison sentence of up to three years or a fine of up to €20,000 or both.

The penalty comes while there is a targeted effort from several stakeholders to acquire capacity and knowledge on the forensic investigation of wildlife crimes, through participation in the Wildlife Crime Academy, a learning platform that is using Spanish best practice.

“The culmination of everyone’s efforts marks a milestone and is a positive development in the intensive efforts being made by all involved to combat the use of poison baits in the countryside,” BirdLife Cyprus Project Coordinator Melpo Apostolidou said.

“We believe that Cyprus is now ready to follow the example of other European countries and invest even more in efforts to prevent wildlife poisoning,” she added.

According to the NGO, placing poison baits in the countryside is a wildlife crime that has driven iconic bird species such as the Griffon Vulture to the brink of extinction in Cyprus.

Since 2005, 31 vultures have been poisoned, leaving Cyprus now with a population of only nine vultures, which is being restocked with birds coming from Spain as part of the LIFE with Vultures project.

The public is called on to report such wildlife crime incidents to the game and fauna service on 99 267916 or 99 255086 or their local police station.