BirdLife documentary captures island’s wild areas

PEOPLE of all ages can now discover some of the island’s hidden wildlife treasures through a new documentary released by BirdLife Cyprus. 

The hour-long film Important areas for Birds and other wildlife in Cyprus not only captures the island’s unique native creatures but also educates viewers on key local wildlife habitats. 

“It’s aimed at the public at large and, rather than focusing on species it focuses on areas,” said BirdLife’s Martin Hellicar, adding the film will feature a range of wildlife such as birds, lizards and snakes.

“People will be surprised by the amazing wildlife and fantastic landscapes.”

But beyond portraying the “amazing riches” of the island, the documentary also aims to generate concern for these natural areas, and is a reminder that many such places exist in familiar and easy reach, such as the Oroklini marsh and Paphos’ Xeros valley.

The documentary, produced by Loucas Christoforou and funded by the Leventis Foundation, is generally positive said Hellicar, but there is a “twist” at the end, given the critical point reached in environmental mismanagement.

The DVD is divided into 30 chapters, each focusing on a different wildlife site, with an informative narrative that can be appreciated by all ages.

BirdLife has already donated copies of the documentary to all primary, secondary and technical schools around the island, to promote “environmental conscience and values” in the island’s youth. 

According to Hellicar, the donation was welcomed by the Education Ministry, which also received a DVD of the film.

Available in both English and Greek, the film can be ordered from BirdLife offices by calling 22 455072, priced at €7 for members and €10 for non-members. It is also on sale at Nicosia’s Moufflon and Soloneion bookshops, along with the Leventis Museum gift shop.

 

For more information visit the BirdLife website on www.birdlifecyprus.org

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.