The health of the Cyprus countryside through the birds’ perspective
Farmers are the most important managers of the environment and nature in
Farmers are the most important managers of the environment and nature in
Fifteen Griffon Vultures flown in from Spain last autumn have been released in their new home, the Cypriot countryside.
Wildlife poisoning and the use of poison baits are serious crimes that are often overlooked and not prosecuted effectively. Through CSI, forensic science and judicial processes, the Regional Government of Andalusia reduced illegal wildlife poisoning incidents by 80% over the last 15 years.
‘Akamas’ is a word which, unfortunately, has become synonymous with dispute in
This article was first published in the Cyprus Mail newspaper on 16 March 2022, as opinion piece written
by our Director Martin Hellicar.
This year marks the 40th anniversary since BirdLife Cyprus began contributing with data from Cyprus to the International Waterbird Census (IWC).
Since the time of writing of this article, another Flamingo was found in distress at Paralimni Lake. The bird was taken to a vet, and despite all efforts, it died shortly after. X-rays showed presence of shotgun pellets in the stomach and throat.
As we look to set up our own dog units as part of the LIFE with Vultures project, we talk to the handlers of Greece’s canine heroes. Covering more than 500 kilometers in patrols since their units’ creation, Kouki and Ioli, two four-legged detectives, and their handlers, Dimitris and Victoria respectively, have found and removed from the Greek countryside 119 poisoned animals and 122 poison baits. In the interview that follows, Dimitris Vavylis and Victoria Saravia, handlers of two Anti-Poison Dog Units run by HOS (BirdLife in Greece), share their experience. (Interview date: February 2020)
Martin Harper, Regional Director for BirdLife Europe & Central Asia, writes about key nature conservation challenges in Cyprus after his recent visit to our island. Martin Harper visited at the invitation of BirdLife Cyprus, the local BirdLife partner. The focus for Martin’s visit was on environmental issues in the British Bases, both due to the urgency of the challenges there and because of Martin’s previous role as Head of International division at the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK).
Overhead power lines can often have negative impacts for wildlife – especially
The first 15 Griffon Vultures to support the extremely threatened population of the species on the island arrived in Cyprus in mid-November 2021. This restocking action took place as part of the “LIFE with Vultures” project, which aims to prevent the extinction the Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus from the island and at the same time strengthen its population and preserve it for the long-term.
There was a time when lead was used in many household items,
In July, during an intense heatwave, Cyprus suffered a deadly forest fire
The beginning of the Lady’s Mile redevelopment project has recently been announced. This precious area is definitely in need of both upgrading and management. The issue now lies in how this will be done, given that it is a very important and protected natural area.
Every summer the discussion about “nuisance” insects and ways to get rid of them comes to the fore.
Over recent decades, around 40-50 Griffon Vultures have died of poisoning, leaving
We all know of the importance of the Akamas Peninsula as one of the last remaining natural coastal areas in Cyprus, and of the development threat it faces. We bring you the latest developments, answering the ‘most frequently asked’ questions of recent months.
In March, BirdLife Cyprus published its Autumn 2020 anti-trapping monitoring report, marking
The tale of a tagged vulture that reaches the parts that other vultures do not…
Another annual winter Griffon Vulture census was completed with success last December,
Can you spot the camera in the photo below? Barely, right? Birds also tend not to notice it. This is why this nifty gadget is helping us record key data on key species, with zero disturbance and without us even being there.