As long as the poachers go and get scared. Extremely worrying are the figures in relation to poaching and trapping of vines in Cyprus. The figures show a sharp rise in illegal "sports", especially in the provinces of Larnaca and Free Famagusta and the communities bordering the British Bases.
At the same time, poachers are ready for "war" against those who try to put a brake on their plans. Indicative of the situation, recent incidents between poachers and activists.
Police and Bases are on alert at the time of the escalation of the phenomenon, with patrols at possible trapping points and inspections in restaurants. However, the fact that no one is guilty if they are not caught "in the act" makes the task of the police more difficult.
Some attribute the increase in poaching to the need, due to the crisis. It is no coincidence that, according to information, both a female poacher and a man were arrested the day before his wedding!
However, either out of habit or out of necessity, poaching should be fought without the slightest tolerance.
The numbers "speak"
The results of the autumn tour, which was carried out in collaboration with the police poaching ladder, show an increase in the phenomenon of bird trapping and general poaching.
According to the police, so far in 2012, 56 cases of poaching have been investigated, 26 search warrants have been executed and 56 people have been reported.
Among other things, 3485 spearheads, 132 nets, 76 loudspeakers and 52 sound-producing devices were seized.
The corresponding cases for 2011 were significantly fewer, assuming that there are almost two months left to complete in 2012. According to police percentages, last year 50 poaching cases were investigated, 28 search warrants were executed and 55 people were reported. 845 rods, 48 nets, 55 car batteries, 58 loudspeakers and 37 sound production devices were confiscated.
The number of cases of poaching has also increased within the British Dekelia Bases. According to Lefteris Eleftheriou, the spokesman for the poaching of the Bases, in 2011 26 people were arrested, while 27 people have been arrested so far this year. As Mr. Eleftheriou told us, from August onwards, when the new inspection period actually began, 234 nets, 314 splints, 58 sound production devices and 52 car batteries have been confiscated within the Bases.
Wild episodes in Bases
Indicative of the situation are the recent incidents between poachers and activists of the Commission Against the Massacre of Birds (CABS), in Dhekelia, who arrived in Cyprus this year in an effort to combat the illegal trapping of vines.
According to information, the members of the organization acted, among other things, within private property, destroying both ready-made traps and metal support poles, and provoking the anger of owners and poachers.
This was followed by the pursuit of the volunteers of the organization by two persons on the territory of the British Bases in Ormidia. At another time, they were attacked, shot with shotguns, and the tires of the cars with which they were moving were punctured. There were injuries on both sides, as well as arrests by Base police.
The CABS
The Committee Against the Slaughter of Birds is an action organization. Its goal is to protect wildlife in European countries by sending volunteers who are actively involved in poaching operations and destruction of nature. Among the countries where they operate from time to time is Cyprus, especially during the period of bird migration in Europe.
Source: SigmaLive