British Military Stopping Illegal Bird Hunters Commended By Defence Minister

A Defence Minister has visited Cyprus to see the work being done by military personnel to stop illegal bird hunting. 

It has long been a problem on British Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) in Cyprus were small birds like blackcaps and thrush are caught in mist nets, killed and then sold for use in a local delicacy called ambelipoulia. 

In 2016, it was estimated that 880,000 birds were killed on British bases which fell to less than a quarter of a million last year and is continuing to fall.

Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Mark Lancaster MP, spoke to Forces News at the Pyla firing range:

"Through the work of the RSPB and others, they really did generate quite a big campaign in the UK that they were determined that we should take action.

"I'm delighted to say we have taken action and as a result of that action, collaboration between the Police and the military, we reduced the incidents of illegal bird catching by some 72%."

The introduction of drones has previously been recognised as a reason for improved results in preventing killings, with the ability to fly 500m above the ground for more than 25 minutes at a time.

Eleven police officers from the SBA Police now work full time in the anti-bird crime unit.

Last year, they seized £115,000 worth of illegal hunting equipment, which led to 19 successful prosecutions. 

Another method being used to counter the poachers is the removal of non-native acacia trees which are planted by poachers to lure in the small birds. 

In the past year, the SBA Police say British soldiers have removed 61 acres of acacia - the size of 45 football pitches, along with 70 kilometres of illegal irrigation pipes.

Major Chris Charnock from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, said:

"It's ultimately dictated by the police, they have the lead for these operations.

"They (the police) generate the requirement for a clearance operation be that on the acacia trees or the pipes and then we will generate a team from one of the companies.

"There's a lot of cross-over, a lot of value for us as infantry soldiers."

As part of his visit, Mr Lancaster also presented a commendation to Sergeant Andy Adimou for his actions last year in diffusing an angry mob who’d gathered to try and disrupt British soldiers removing acacia trees.

The Ministry of Defence says it’s increased fines for those caught hunting illegally and is working with conservation groups to try and reduce the numbers even further.