The focus of the campaign against illegal bird trapping in Cyprus has intensified as BBC presenters Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin joined forces with the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) to shed light on the issue near Maroni.
Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com
CABS has launched a mission dubbed “Occupy Akas” aimed at exposing what it alleges to be a large-scale operation of poaching at a site known as “Akas farm.” The organisation claims that this notorious location is responsible for the illegal trapping of approximately 30,000 protected birds annually, generating an illegal profit of about 180,000 euros.
Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com
As part of their campaign, CABS began monitoring the area on Saturday, reporting the use of six nets by trappers at 6.30am. Activists witnessed the suspects freeing birds from the nets and attempting to remove equipment when they realised they were being observed. CABS General Secretary Alexander Heyd called the site “by far the worst black spot for illegal bird trapping in the whole European Union,” adding that on average, 500 birds are killed daily, with a staggering 1,000 killed on peak days.
Despite the alarming reports, CABS alleges that Cypriot authorities have largely failed to take effective action. According to the organisation, police typically conduct only one visit per trapping season and impose what they describe as “laughable” fines in comparison to the profits made by poachers. Heyd noted that from the hills above, activists can see numerous illegal mist nets and hear tape lures playing loudly every night, while thousands of dead birds are removed from the farm.
During the monitoring operation, CABS contacted police about the ongoing activities but received a response stating that officers could not intervene. This has raised concerns about the apparent obstruction of justice by public officials, as CABS has repeatedly reported these illegal activities without seeing significant action taken.
Cyprus has faced longstanding criticism from environmental groups regarding its handling of bird trapping. The European Commission has previously initiated legal actions against the country for inadequate enforcement of wildlife protection laws. The issue of bird trapping remains a contentious topic, with reports of violence against activists who challenge these illegal practices.
Previous incidents have raised safety concerns for CABS activists. After reporting a suspected gang member involved in illegal trapping, one police officer was allegedly assaulted by the gang leader, with no charges filed afterward. Additionally, an explosive device was reported to have damaged the windshield of a CABS vehicle, leading the organisation to request security protection for their teams amid fears for their safety during monitoring operations.
The involvement of well-known figures like Packham and McCubbin, who provided live coverage of the campaign on social media, has helped to draw attention to the situation. The combination of celebrity support and grassroots activism aims to bring the illegal practices to the forefront of public consciousness and pressure authorities to act decisively against the poachers.