Good News - well done the SBA Police

Whilst not ascribing this to Proact intervention (although the phrase ""We have been conducting a very pro-active campaign against the poachers" smacks of more than coincidence) it is a pleasure to pass on ANY progress made in putting a stop to the poaching, trapping and bird slaughter on Cyprus.

Not quite sure how one defines "the end of the 'unofficial' trapping season" - no more birds left alive? In any event the start of the 'unofficial' trapping season will start as soon as the return migration begins.

We must therefore keep up the pressure (more action planned) and encourage those responsible - in particular the Cyprus Government - to do even better!

Front page article 09. January 2002

Poachers' gear to be burnt

British Bases police are to destroy confiscated poaching equipment worth up to 10,000 Cy pounds on Friday, at the end of the illegal lime-sticking season when trappers try to ensnare millions of protected birds that migrate through Cyprus.

Since August 2001, officers say they have impounded 588 mist nets, 274 lime sticks, 207 loudspeakers and more than 10,000 metres of wire and cables, among other assorted poaching items.

Since August a total of 28 people have been arrested suspected of poaching, and 900 birds have been released.

Convicted poachers face a fine of up to 10,000 Cy pounds.

"We have been conducting a very pro-active campaign against the poachers, and the amount of equipment we have seized during the past few months is valued at between 5,000 and 10,000 Cy pounds" Dhekelia police sergeant Panayiotis Panayi said yesterday.

The equipment will be burned on Friday morning in Dhekelia.