Cyprus Bird Poachers Targeted In Sovereign Base Area

Three kilometers of illegal irrigation pipes used by poachers on Ministry of Defence land in Cyprus have been destroyed by SPA Police.

The piping is used by criminal gangs to grow non-native acacia bushes where invisible "mist nets" are strung up to catch migratory birds.

In March, the RSPB and Birdlife Cyprus reported more than 800,000 songbirds were being illegally killed on British military territory to supply restaurants a local delicacy.  

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. 

Australian acacia bushes are the right height and density to make an inviting roosting for the birds.

Sean Tully, bases spokesman said; 

“There will be no rest in our efforts to tackle the issue of bird trapping ... We are more than ready for the forthcoming migration season and our dedicated Crime Action Team (CAT) will be patrolling night and day. Every trapper caught will be prosecuted.”

Last week the Bases courts handed down suspended prison sentences to three bird trapping offenders ranging between four and six months alongside significant fines of €900.

Tully commented that the illegal irrigation also presented a trip hazard for soldiers training with live ammunition “these pipes are laid indiscriminately without the knowledge of the Bases personnel; they could very easily be the cause of a serious accident”.

Last year Forces News filmed the police teams trying to crack down on illegal bird trapping inside the Sovereign Base Areas.