Police in Cyprus have freed more than 100 wild birds caught in illegal trapping nets during an operation in the Larnaca district.
Members of the Poaching Prevention Unit, part of the police’s Mobile Immediate Action Force (MMAD), carried out the operation as part of the force’s ongoing campaign against illegal bird-trapping.
In an area where hunting is prohibited, officers found three electronic devices operating that mimic the calls of wild birds, along with seven trapping nets.
The nets contained 103 wild birds, which were alive and were released back into their natural habitat. A further 12 dead birds were also found.
Police are now trying to establish who was responsible for the site, and the Kofinou regional police station is continuing its investigation.
The operation follows a separate case last week in which a €13,500 fine was imposed for bird-trapping in Larnaca, where 17 wild birds were found caught in nets.
