With the problem becoming "worse and worse", Britain is stepping up its police force in Cyprus to protect millions of migratory birds being killed by illegal spiders and nets.
In the area of the British base in Dhekelia alone, about 900.000 small birds were killed in one year, the BBC reports.
The force trying to deal with the situation is now increasing from six to eleven.
Illegal killing of birds is theoretically punishable by a fine of up to 17.000 euros and up to three years in prison. In practice, the fine usually does not exceed 400 euros and few have been imprisoned, according to the envoy of the British network.
The situation has remained uncontrollable for years and the efforts of the British base, the Game and Fauna Service and the activists are met with hostile reactions.
"There have been cases of officers being attacked, threatened with weapons and their vehicles rammed," said Andy Adamou, a British non-commissioned officer.
During sensitive migratory periods, chewing gum, robin, nightingales, bee-eaters and other birds are caught with rods (rods covered with glue) and large nets spread out in the open.
MP3 players that constantly play bird calls entice unsuspecting victims to approach.
Most birds are served vinegar or boiled in houses and restaurants, where the so-called "vine birds" are sold for 60 to 80 euros per dozen.
As the Cyprus Bird Association estimated last year, in the fall of 2014 more than two million birds must have been killed in Cyprus, such as chewing gum, partridges and nightingales.
The Hunting and Fauna Service, according to which the illegal purchase of trapped birds generates illegal profits of 15 million euros per year, has started using DNA tests that identify protected birds even when cooked.
Source: BBC / news.in.gr