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Photo by Stelios Demetriou
In the press

A first for Cyprus: €21,000 fine imposed for wildlife poisoning

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© Sebastien Closs
Policy

Κοινή δήλωση για το Τοπικό Σχέδιο Ακάμα

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Cape Greco Landscape_2
All about birds

Five things green for the next President

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six species poorer
All about birds

Six species poorer: the birds we’ve lost in the last decades

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Almyrolivado
Policy

Cyprus falls flat on the way it implements EU environmental laws and policies

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Every year an estimated 25 million birds are illegally killed around the Mediterranean. Cyprus has been assessed as one of the five worst countries with, until very recently, over two million birds killed annually. As the third largest island in the Mediterranean, it is a crucial stopover site for migrating birds, with the incredible passage of millions of songbirds, waterfowl and birds of prey during each spring and autumn. 

Unsurprisingly, the hunting and trapping of migrant birds is rooted deep in the historical culture of the island. The local dish of Ambelopoulia, consisting of blackcaps and other songbirds, was originally a food supplement. However, bird trapping is no longer about tradition and has become widespread, driven by profit and involving organised crime. This is to fuel the continuing illegal demand for the dish, with diners prepared to pay €80 or more for a plate of a dozen birds.

I have worked for the RSPB, the UK BirdLife partner, on wildlife crime for over 30 years and first visited Cyprus in 2000. Since then, I have made many visits to help BirdLife Cyprus tackle the illegal trapping and killing of migrant birds. The Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) and their dedicated team of volunteers have also been highly active in Cyprus for over a decade locating and reporting illegal trapping and shooting sites.

Most of my work has been in the UK Eastern Sovereign Base Area (ESBA), along with time at other trapping and shooting hotspots in Cyprus. In 2016, I helped set up a program of covert surveillance on the ESBA and, with the zero-tolerance enforcement by the SBA authorities, it has been highly encouraging to see the levels of bird trapping have been massively reduced. In other parts of Cyprus, it is clear more serious problems with illegal bird killing continue.
All about birds

Illegal bird killing: the darker side of Cyprus

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© Silvio A. Rusmigo
All about birds

Our Safe Haven for birds – officially ours!

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Day5-Kostas-release_9
All about birds

Update on the recently released Spanish vultures

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Photo from Pixabay.com
All about birds

Cats: lovable pets with a big downside for nature

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Bird-Camp-on-Cyprus-image007
All about birds

Cyprus Bird Camp in Akanthou

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Photo by Silvio A. Rusmigo
In the press

Περιβαλλοντικές οργανώσεις ζητούν απόσυρση προτεινόμενου νομοσχεδίου για τη διευκόλυνση επενδύσεων

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© Carlos Taylor
All about birds

Five raptors to watch out for this autumn

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DSC1335
Conservation & Science

First vultures from Spain released in Cyprus

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One of many bee-eaters found shot at lake Soros, this bird had to be euthanised because of severe injuries © Guy Shorrock
In the press

Another year of illegal bird slaughter at Lake Soros, Meneou – BirdLife Cyprus and the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) call for a permanent ban to hunting at the site

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Άκαμας © Silvio A. Rusmigo
Policy

Akamas Peninsula: The day after

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Άκαμας © Silvio A. Rusmigo
Policy

Latest updates on Akamas: What did the Environment Department say about the Local Plan?

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1S7A1746
Conservation & Science

Wildlife crime investigation: The first seminar in Cyprus

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© Silvio A. Rusmigo
Conservation & Science

The latest on Akamas in 5 questions

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Crime Scene Investigation © Wildlife Crime Academy / Vulture Conservation Foundation
In the press

Εμπειρογνώμονες από την Ισπανία έρχονται στην Κύπρο για την αντιμετώπιση της χρήσης δηλητηριασμένων δολωμάτων

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Άκαμας © Silvio A. Rusmigo
In the press

Ανοικτή Επιστολή προς Διευθυντή Τμήματος Περιβάλλοντος: Επιτακτική ανάγκη για έκδοση αρνητικής Έκθεσης Ειδικής Οικολογικής Αξιολόγησης για το προτεινόμενο Τοπικό Σχέδιο Ακάμα

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© Mary Michaelides
In the press

Παρουσίαση βιβλίου “Λιβελούλες της Κύπρου” και προβολή ντοκιμαντέρ για τη Χερσόνησο Ακρωτηρίου

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