The Ministry of Defense in London issued a statement referring to the "tireless" British efforts to limit the "horrible" practice of trapping children in Cyprus.
Annually, data released in March showed that in 2016, 888.000 dead songbirds were recorded, but in 2017 that number dropped to 260.000, a decrease of 76%.
This reduction is attributed to the efforts of the British Cypriot Forces, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the environmental organization Birdlife Cyprus.
In a statement, British Deputy Secretary of the Armed Forces Mark Lancaster said: "The work being done by our Armed Forces and the Dominant Base Police has made a significant difference in the survival of these wonderful birds in Cyprus and I applaud them for that. We will continue to do everything we can to protect them. "
The announcement notes that last month the base management held a meeting with RSPB and Birdlife Cyprus, agreeing on a cooperation strategy for the next period of the boom.
A key aspect of the strategy is the removal of acacias and their illegal irrigation networks. According to the British Ministry of Defense, since 2014, acacias that covered a total area of 45 football fields have been removed. At the same time, irrigation pipes with a total length of more than 60 km have been destroyed.
Hidden surveillance cameras and a drone have been added to the British equipment in the base area, while increased patrols have been carried out, which have helped reduce bird deaths.
During a visit to base areas last month, RSPB International Policy Chief Andrew Callander said he hoped "for even closer co-operation in combating this crime with the British Armed Forces".
The statement also referred to Mr Lancaster's recent visit to Cyprus, noting that the British Undersecretary had the opportunity to reaffirm the Cyprus-UK defense ties by signing a renewed defense co-operation agreement.
The agreement brings the two countries closer together in areas such as maritime and air security, counterterrorism, cybersecurity and the exchange of security information.
Undersecretary of the Armed Forces Mark Lancaster said: "The United Kingdom and Cyprus share a deeply common history and common values, including the common denominator of being a member of the Commonwealth, and I am pleased that we have agreed to continue working together more closely than ever before." in the past".
Source: KYPE
