Tri-Service
The Bases Policemen Catching Cruel Trapping Gangs
For decades Cyprus has been plagued by the problem of illegal bird trapping.
Each year thousands of tiny migratory birds are caught in nets and sold for use in a traditional delicacy.
One of the hunting hotspots is the area around the British base at Dhekelia.
Each spring and autumn thousands of migratory songbirds – including Blackcaps and Thrush - stop in this part of Cyprus on their way between Africa and Europe.
And every year hundreds of thousands are illegally killed for the table, caught in large, invisible mist nets or trapped on glue-covered limesticks.
They're then sold on the black market for use in a traditional dish called ambelopoulia.
At this time of year, it’s Thrush the criminals are after. A dozen will fetch them €20.
Between August and October alone these officers also released more than 2,5000 illegally trapped birds. Bird trapping in Cyprus is big business.
Wildlife charities say it's worth €15 million a year to criminal gangs.
The British authorities here say they're increasing efforts to combat trapping. 10 officers now work full time targeting this illegal trade.
Bail for those arrested, meanwhile, has been increased from 500 to 2,000 euros.
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