A year-long crackdown on illegal bird poaching at a British military base in Cyprus has resulted in a “huge” drop in the number of poachers operating inside the base’s territory, authorities said.
There has also been a 70% reduction in the trapping of blackcaps over the same period, officials said.
Small migratory birds are considered a delicacy by some Cypriots and trapping feeds a multimillion-euro illicit trade.
Authorities used a road roller to crush bird-calling devices and other trapping paraphernalia.
They also seized irrigation pipes used to water acacia trees that conceal nets.
Dhekelia British base police chief Jon Ward said combating poachers remains a priority and that a 12-person anti-poaching unit will expand its use of drones and hidden cameras to enforce the law.
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