Repeat bird poacher reported seven times in Larnaca district

On September 20, 2026, members of the Anti-Poaching Squad of the Rapid Response Motorised Unit (MMAD) discovered illegal bird trapping activities on a fenced plot in the Larnaca district. Officers seized three electronic bird-call mimicking devices and seven trapping nets, recovering 103 live birds that were subsequently released and 12 dead birds. The site is located in an area where all hunting activities are strictly prohibited.

The owner of the plot has been reported by authorities seven times between October 2025 and September 2026 for similar offenses. Despite these repeated interventions, the suspect continues to operate, highlighting the limitations of the current legal framework. Reports indicate that out-of-court fines currently in place are considered insufficient to deter organized groups that derive significant financial profit from the illegal trade of wildlife.

Following these recurring violations, the parliamentary Committee on the Environment is scheduled to debate the issue on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. The discussion focuses on the need to impose stricter penalties, ensure that repeat offenders face formal court proceedings, and provide additional resources to enforcement authorities. These ongoing challenges underscore systemic difficulties in effectively curbing large-scale, professional poaching operations in Cyprus.