British Army Tech Helps Trap The Trappers

Hidden surveillance cameras on British Army ranges in Cyprus have helped catch and convict a number of illegal bird trappers.

Motion sensors placed inside the Sovereign Base Area (SBA) filmed individuals as they killed birds caught in their traps by slitting their throats with pen knives.

Once slaughtered, the birds are sold on the black market to restaurants to be served as a local delicacy called Ambelapoulia.

A spokesman for the British Forces Cyprus said:

“We are committed to deterring this cruel and illegal activity and these cases are a demonstration that we will not tolerate illegal hunting inside the Bases. 

“The use of technology is just one of our many plans to catch and convict criminals.”

The bird trappers, who had no idea they were being filmed, have been fined between €820 and €2,500 for their illegal activities.

Conservation groups estimate more than 2 million migratory birds were illegally killed in Cyprus last year - nearly 900,000 of them inside the SBA. 

Previously police in Cyprus have been displaying to Forces News some of the thousands of seizures from criminal bird trappers: