Cypriots kill record 1.4 million migratory birds

Yahoo News 17 Dec 10;

NICOSIA (AFP) – A record 1.4 million migratory birds were killed over the key autumn season to feed an illicit Cypriot taste for the delicacy, a conservationist group said on Friday.

A survey by Birdlife Cyprus carried out between September and October showed more than one million birds were indiscriminately killed after being trapped with mist nets and limesticks.

"The picture emerging from autumn 2010 is one of a bird-trapping disaster on a scale unseen since Birdlife's monitoring work began almost 10 years ago," it said in a statement.

"A 75-percent increase in mist net use and an 89-percent increase in limestick setting compared to autumn 2009 are simply unacceptable," it added.

Autumn trapping levels have been on a general upward trend for four years while mist netting levels are at a nine-year high, according to the group.

Such methods are used to catch blackcaps and song thrushes, much sought after delicacies that fetch five euros (6.65 dollars) each at Cypriot restaurants, making the illegal trade lucrative.

Birdlife said the figures showed a "serious failure" on the part of both Cypriot authorities and British Sovereign Base Areas where illegal trappings are rife.

"As EU member states, both have obligations under the EU Birds Directive to protect birds, and migrant birds in particular," the group said.

It added a clampdown on restaurants was needed to prevent Cyprus revisiting the 1990s when up to 10 million birds were killed.

A huge crackdown on trappers and restaurants was enforced before Cyprus joined the European Union in May 2004, but now conservationists say the government lacks the political will to eradicate the trade.

"Trappers are making hundreds of thousands of euros (dollars) by selling blackcaps and other birds to be served up as illegal, expensive ambelopoulia (blackcap) delicacies.

"Cyprus has now lost serious ground in the battle against bird-trapping, an illegal and indiscriminate practice that threatens many bird species of conservation concern."

Birdlife has also called for tougher sentencing available to the courts to be enforced while pinpointing a need to change attitudes towards killing and eating migratory birds.

During the winter, millions of birds take refuge in Cyprus from colder northern climates.

An estimated 60 species that are listed as threatened or in need of protection are snared in illegal Cypriot traps.