ILLEGAL BIRD trapping in spring 2011 was nine per cent higher than spring 2010, and 72 per cent higher than in 2009 according to the latest report by Birdlife Cyprus.
According to their latest report, released just ahead of next week’s European conference on the illegal killing of birds in Larnaca, the figures “make for gloomy reading and add to the overall, disastrous, picture regarding trends in trapping on the island”.
In addition to the spiralling number of birds killed, almost 1.5 km (1,475 metres) of active net rides was identified by the Bird Life survey team.
Birdlife said: “These discouraging first results for 2011 come hot on the heels of a disastrous 2010, which was a ‘record’ year for trapping with mist nets and limesticks in Cyprus. An estimated 2.4 million birds were slaughtered in Cyprus in 2010, mostly during the autumn.”
The non-selective nature of trapping means many rare and threatened species fall foul of the increasingly organised trappers, who make huge sums of money by selling trapped songbirds to restaurants.
The blackcaps, flycatchers, nightingales and other small birds are offered as banned (but still popular) ambelopoulia delicacies for up to €80 per dozen.
Birdlife Cyprus’ director Clairie Papazoglu said: “The situation in Cyprus will come under much scrutiny at next week’s conference, and the picture is plainly not good. The relevant authorities and decision-makers must use the European conference to declare a renewed, zero tolerance offensive against the scourge of bird trapping.”
Papazoglu said the focus should be on halting the sale of ambelopoulia in restaurants and changing public attitudes.
Officials from Contracting Parties to the Berne Convention, the European Commission, International Conventions, Cyprus National authorities, nature protection NGOs, experts and other relevant stakeholders will participate in the conference, which runs from July 6 to July 8
Cyprus trapping – especially with mist nets – takes place in the Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) as well as in the Republic, so the onus for action weighs on the SBA and UK authorities as well as the Cyprus government.
As well as continuing to monitor the situation, BirdLife Cyprus is vowing to make an increased effort to shift public attitudes to trapping.
“The general public is oblivious to the ecological disaster that bird trapping represents and to the fact that eating ambelopoulia supports this, and it is not just about the non selective, cruel and illegal nature of mist nets and lime sticks,” said Martin Hellicar of Birdlife Cyprus. “Nowadays trapping is largely run by ruthless, hardcore criminals that are fearless to prosecution, particularly since the penalties handed down by courts are anything but a deterrent.”
For more information contact BirdLife Cyprus offices at +357 22 455 072 or visit their website at www.birdlifecyprus.org.
