Police in Cyprus have uncovered a large-scale illegal bird trapping operation following coordinated searches in Nicosia and Larnaca districts on Saturday morning.
Officers executed a court warrant at the home of a 41-year-old man in Nicosia, where they seized five bird-trapping nets, 952 dead wild birds, and 817 plastic containers believed to be used for packaging the birds.
A separate search in a fenced area in Larnaca uncovered 11 active trapping nets containing 297 wild birds — 149 dead and 147 alive.
The live birds were released. Two electronic decoy devices emitting bird calls were also confiscated.
During the operation, a 42-year-old man wearing a hood entered the Larnaca site and attempted to flee upon seeing police. He was apprehended and found in possession of cannabis. He was arrested on the spot.
A subsequent search of a vehicle linked to the suspect revealed a single-barrel hunting rifle, 181 shotgun cartridges, two decoy devices, and two dead wild birds.
Police also stopped a vehicle belonging to a 44-year-old man near the site. Inside, they found 30 shotgun cartridges and three knives. He was also arrested.
The Game and Fauna Service is expected to issue fines under the Wild Birds Law. Investigations are ongoing by the Pera Chorio and Kofinou police stations.
RECENT ACTION
Last month, the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS), an international conservation group, launched a new campaign aimed at exposing what it calls the most prolific illegal bird-trapping site in the European Union.
Dubbed “Occupy Akas,” the operation targeted a fenced valley near Maroni where CABS alleges a well-known criminal group has trapped and sold hundreds of thousands of protected birds over the years. British wildlife presenters Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin joined the group to document the effort.
CABS General Secretary Alexander Heyd said the site, known locally as “Akas farm,” sees an average of 500 birds killed daily, with peak days reaching 1,000.
The group estimates the poachers earn roughly €180,000 annually from the activity, which it claims continues unchecked by Cypriot authorities.
“This valley is by far the worst black spot for illegal bird trapping in the whole European Union,” Heyd said.
“The Cyprus Police are well aware of this criminal activity, but despite numerous reports and a mountain of evidence, they are either unable or unwilling to stop it.”