With 12 swords and two killed vines, he was caught on the spot last Friday, April 12, suspected of poaching in Paralimni.
According to a statement from the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) and the SPA (Stiftung Pro Artenvielfalt Foundation), which launched the anti-trapping tour in Cyprus this spring, three bird trappers have been arrested. by the Game Guards of the Thera and Fauna Fund after the volunteers of the organizations reported the incident of illegal trapping to the competent authorities.
One of the three perpetrators, according to the announcement, was arrested last Friday in Paralimni, possessing 12 swords and 2 recently killed vines. According to the organization, the poacher will face a fine of more than 8.000 euros for "hunting or trapping outside the permitted period", which expired in February.
"This person is a notorious poacher who repeatedly targets birds on his fenced property, every year and during the migratory period of birds", said Andrea Rutigliano, the agency's tour director.
The two NGOs also noted that the suspect had been prosecuted at least five times before. In the spring of 2012, the suspect was prosecuted for the use of nets and rods. Just three days later, 130 swords were found in his possession. In the fall of 2014, the suspect was arrested with 360 spades and a sonic device. In the fall of 2015, he was caught twice by police with 107 and 118 swords, respectively.
Rutigliano added: "This last case is a shocking proof that the poacher is not afraid of any punishment and continues to trap carelessly and without any worries."
CABS and the SPA agree with the high fine given in cases of illegal trapping "outside the permitted period", but notes that there are many similar cases of recidivists continuing to trap birds despite being caught.
"These people are still taking this risk because the fines for using xerobs are humiliatingly low.", said CABS President Heinz Swartz.
In their announcement, the two organizations call on the government to reconsider and increase the current fines for the use of splinters as well as the fines for repeated offenders.
The organization has started the spring bird protection tour since the end of March and 12 volunteers from all over Europe, including Cyprus, will take part in the operations to monitor the illegal trapping of the birds until the end of May. At the same time, through their announcement, the activists call on the citizens to report cases of illegal bird trapping, using the organization's Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/CABS2011/.
In detail, the announcement:
Famagusta.News