An increase in bird trapping has been recorded, highlighting the failure of the police anti-poaching unit to tackle organised trapping groups, BirdLife Cyprus said in its autumn 2024 trapping report.

“Some 620,000 birds were trapped and killed within the survey area in autumn 2024 alone,” the latest survey estimates.

“While overall trapping levels across Cyprus remained similar to previous years, there are stark differences between jurisdictions. The Republic of Cyprus saw a 76 per cent increase in trapping with nets compared to autumn 2023, primarily due to unchecked activity by organised trapping groups operating with apparent impunity,” BirdLife added.

In marked contrast, the British bases achieved a 22 per cent reduction in trapping with nets through effective enforcement, the organisation said.

“The SBA [Sovereign Base Areas] police strengthened their anti-poaching unit with additional personnel, demonstrating how sufficient resources can achieve significant results. BirdLife Cyprus acknowledges the commitment of zero tolerance by SBA police and administration, as well as their continued partnership approach with NGOs in tackling illegal bird trapping,” it said.

“The situation in the Republic of Cyprus is deeply concerning,” said campaign coordinator of BirdLife Cyprus Tassos Shialis.

“While we see exemplary enforcement and cooperation in the SBAs leading to real progress, organised trappers in the Republic continue their illegal activities largely unchallenged,” Shalis added.

He said that despite the memorandum of cooperation signed between the Game and Fauna Service and the Cyprus police in July 2023 to tackle this issue, the Cyprus enforcement authorities were failing to effectively tackle these criminal groups.

“In particular, the Cyprus police anti-poaching unit has showed very little enforcement action against bird trapping since its formation back in June 2023, which is highly disappointing,” he added.

“The problem is further compounded by continued high levels of trapping with limesticks in the Republic, reflecting the non-deterrent nature of current fines and enforcement measures.”

BirdLife Cyprus called for “the immediate engagement and enforcement action of the Cyprus police anti-poaching unit on all sorts of wildlife crime, including illegal bird trapping.”

It also called on the unit “to fully support the Game and Fauna Service and to develop jointly a comprehensive strategy to tackle organized trappers as part of their memorandum of cooperation.”

BirdLife furthermore called for the “introduction of deterrent penalties for all forms of bird trapping, particularly on limesticks, and the adoption of the successful enforcement approach demonstrated by the SBA police.”