The Movement of Ecologists – Citizens’ Cooperation has expressed outrage following the confirmation that a kangaroo found dead in free Famagusta was deliberately slaughtered, raising serious questions about illegal exotic animal trafficking in Cyprus.
According to a press release issued on May 15, post-mortem examination results revealed the animal suffered a “horrific death” at the hands of its “killers and torturers”.
The Movement’s Animal Action Group condemned the incident, which occurred in a car park in the free Famagusta area, describing it as a blatant violation of animal welfare legislation that raises serious concerns about the illegal trafficking and possession of imported animals.
“Our Movement has consistently advocated for strengthened controls, prohibition of exotic animal ownership by private individuals, transparency in the operation of zoos, and the promotion of a strict framework for the protection of and respect for all living beings,” the statement read. “The protection and welfare of animals is a matter of culture and public interest”.
The party noted previous reports suggesting consumption of meat from animals not considered edible in Cyprus, emphasising the need for multilingual education on food safety, health risks and compliance with local legislation.
The statement raised several questions:
- How did the animal enter Cyprus? Was it imported legally or were controls bypassed?
- According to information, the farm from which the kangaroo was taken reportedly houses other kangaroos and rare animal species. Are these animals properly registered as required by law? Why are they being kept? If this unfortunate animal was slaughtered, is something similar happening to other animals?
- Is there an effective mechanism for monitoring such farms and their activities?
- Are strict and transparent checks conducted at animal entry points to the Republic?
- Is there a possibility of organised trafficking of imported animals in Cyprus?
The Animal Action Group called on the Veterinary Services to publish available information on the origin of the animals and ensure transparency in the case’s development.
They urged police to identify and bring all those involved to justice, noting “serious illegalities involving subjecting an animal to pain, suffering, injury or fear, leading to its horrific death”.
The party also called on the Ministries of Agriculture and Interior to review and strengthen mechanisms controlling the possession, breeding and importation of non-native animals, and demanded the removal of remaining animals from the farm to prevent similar incidents.
Anthi Mouzouri, Coordinator of the Animal Action Group, stated: “We are living in 2025, and such horrific incidents concern Cypriot society and cause feelings of anger and revulsion. It is now imperative that legislation be enforced and the guilty parties brought to justice to ensure such a horrific incident never happens again”.
