The police of the British military base Akrotiri threatened the poachers with heavy fines and confiscation of cars. This happened on the eve of the approaching migration season of ambelopoulos*, which are still illegally served in restaurants and taverns throughout Cyprus.
* Ambelopulia (black-headed warbler) is a small songbird, a migratory bird, hunting of which is prohibited by the laws of the European Union. Nevertheless, some Cypriots believe that since ambelopoulia has been hunted on the island for centuries, it is not worth breaking traditions.
Police Inspector Fanos Christodoulou reported an almost twofold reduction in bird trapping on the territory of the Akrotiri base in recent years. He stressed that his team of 10 officers is now resourced and better trained than ever. She found many places prepared by poachers to catch birds using nets and sticks with glue.
— We have already caused some damage to the poachers and will continue to do so. If you are engaged in illegal fishing, then you will be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” said Phanos Christodoulou, recalling that in June two poachers were fined 1,350 euros and three cars worth more than 35 thousand euros were confiscated.
In 2024, the police of the British base of Akrotiri will be assisted by the environmental organization BirdLife Cyprus, the Committee against the Destruction of Birds (CABS), the police of the Republic of Cyprus and, if necessary, the National Guard.
“We will continue to develop our technologies using drones, hidden cameras and other modern detection methods,” concluded Phanos Christodoulou.
Photo: TheOtherKev
https://russiancyprus.news/news/society/evropakipr.com_policiya-britanskoy-bazy-akrotiri-lovcam-ambelopuliy-vy-zaplatite/
Comment from our editorial staff:
There is hunting for food. There is for the sake of maintaining biological balance in nature.
And there is – just for the sake of pleasure, covered up with different words, such as “national tradition”. The latter type of hunting is an absolute cultural savagery and a crime against nature, and those responsible for this “hunting” should be punished to the fullest extent of the law and be unconditionally condemned in a civilized society.
