The Department of Forests signed a contract on 15 June for the construction and installation of 75 animal escape ramps at reservoirs across Cyprus, following a series of incidents in which wild and stray animals drowned after becoming trapped in reservoirs with steep or slippery banks.
The problem has prompted growing concern. In February 2025, Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou announced reservoir inspections and called on owners of private reservoirs to install escape ramps and maintain fencing after several animals became trapped.
The new contract, valued at €17,000, marks the first large-scale installation of dedicated escape infrastructure at public reservoirs.
The Department of Forests, which will oversee the project, said the work is expected to be completed within two months.
The ramps will provide animals with a means of climbing out of reservoirs in which they would otherwise become exhausted and drown.
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