Europe tests Cyprus promise to ban bird trapping
Date: 23-Aug-02
Country: CYPRUS
Cyprus, a candidate for EU membership, lies across bird migration routes in the eastern Mediterranean. Bird watchers say millions of birds flying between Europe and Africa are trapped each year to be served as delicacies in local taverns.
Cypriots use fine nets to trap the birds, mostly warblers known locally as ambelopoulia. Another technique involves sticks covered with glue. The birds are often ripped off the sticks before they are killed.
Trapping was banned in 1974, but authorities often turn a blind eye to the practice, which has wide popular support.
Two European conservationists will be in Cyprus until November to the study enforcement of the ban at the height of the trapping season from September to November.
The conservationists will report to a committee studying Cyprus' obligations under the Bern Convention on protecting wildlife. The report could affect Cyprus' bid for EU membership if the committee decides that further monitoring is needed.
"The government is determined to enforce legislation...we have a special team in place, which won't allow any bird trapping this year," said Pantelis Hadjiyeros, director of the national game service.
He said bird trappers remained a problem, but insisted that estimates of the number of birds being killed were grossly exaggerated.