More than two million migratory birds killed in Cyprus

More than two million migratory birds were killed in Cyprus last autumn to feed an illicit taste for the delicacy on the Mediterranean island, a conservationist group said Monday. The survey by Birdlife Cyprus was carried out in the key season between September and October and estimates the number of birds indiscriminately trapped in nets or with limesticks. The group said its surveillance showed “a dramatic situation of this illegal activity sadly taking place,” with the number of mist nets used almost doubling in 2014 from the year before.

With these trapping levels for autumn 2014, BirdLife Cyprus estimated that over two million birds could have been killed across the whole of Cyprus.

BirdLife Cyprus spokesman

A huge crackdown on trappers and restaurants was enforced before Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, but now conservationists say the government lacks the political will to eradicate the trade. Birdlife has also called for tougher sentencing available to the courts to be enforced while pinpointing a need to change attitudes towards killing and eating migratory birds. The law provides for penalties of up to three years in jail and fines as high as 17,000 euros but these are rarely imposed. During winter, millions of birds take refuge in Cyprus from colder northern climates. An estimated 60 species are listed as threatened or in need of protection are snared in illegal Cypriot traps.

The report highlights the illegal trapping of songbirds on the British military base has escalated and we are urging the Ministry of Defence… to resolve it before this autumn’s migration.

Tim Stowe of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

Science Cyprus