The number of songbirds being illegally killed on a UK military base in Cyprus to supply restaurants has fallen by 70% last year, wildlife experts said.
More than 260,000 birds such as black caps and robins were trapped and killed last autumn at the British territory, the RSPB said.
But the figure is down 70% on the previous year’s estimate of 880,000 songbirds illegally killed to provide restaurants with the main ingredient for the local delicacy ambelopoulia – a plate of cooked songbirds.
Mist nets placed between acacia trees trap birds such as golden orioles (Guy Shorrock RSPB/PA)
The illegal activity is being driven by organised crime gangs who make millions from selling the birds to restaurants via the black market, the RSPB said.
The reduction in trapping is the result of work by RSPB Investigations and the Sovereign Base Area Police using covert surveillance methods such as filming to catch trappers and secure stronger court sentences, the charity said.
Increased patrols coupled with heavier sentences mean hunters now face a double deterrent.
In 2016, 19 trappers were covertly filmed at seven sites and all were prosecuted with fines of up to 6,600 euro and several received suspended jail sentences. More cases are ongoing from 2017.
Acacia trees are used to lure the songbirds down while migrating (Guy Shorrock RSPB/PA)
The RSPB called on the UK Government to ensure the removal of non-native Australian acacia trees, planted to lure the birds, continues to sustain the success in curbing the trapping.
Birds are trapped with fine “mist” nets suspended between acacia bushes, and speakers playing bird calls are used to attract the birds down as they migrate.
Wildlife experts also urged the Republic of Cyprus to crack down on black-market restaurants which still serve songbirds, which has been illegal for more than 40 years, though enforcement action is rarely taken.
Martin Harper, RSPB conservation director, said: “The reduction in the numbers of birds being illegally killed is a direct result of on-the-ground work by RSPB and Sovereign Base Area staff.
“The enforcement and the severity of sentences is also adding to the risks that would-be trappers take.
“We now need to finish removing the remaining non-native acacia bushes to make sure that there are no longer places where trappers can hide their nets. This is the long-term solution needed for these migrant birds.”
He added the Sovereign Base Area authorities should be congratulated for taking measures including exclusion orders, vehicle impoundments and removing illegal irrigation pipes used to boost the growth of acacia trees.
Martin Hellicar, director of BirdLife Cyprus, said: “Now is the time to re-double efforts and make sure we see a permanent end to large-scale trapping and the massive impact it has on our migrant birds.
“Increased and consistent enforcement action must be taken against law-breaking restaurants.”
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