The Sovereign Base Areas Police and the Environment Department of the Republic of Cyprus have been conducting joint operations since January against illegal hunting dog training in protected areas at Akrotiri, Episkopi and Paramali, according to a press release from the British Bases Administration issued on Wednesday.
Hunting dog training is prohibited within Special Protection Areas in the SBAs under the Game and Wild Birds Ordinance. The areas are considered among the most important habitats in Cyprus for migratory species and those that breed locally.
SBA Administration Environment Officer Alexia Perdiou said many of the species found in these areas nest on the ground or in low vegetation and are especially vulnerable to disturbance. “Dogs moving through natural habitats may disturb breeding birds, causing them to abandon nests, leaving eggs and chicks exposed to predators,” she said. “Repeated disturbance may eventually force birds to abandon important nesting areas altogether.”
Perdiou noted that the risk is greatest in the months following the end of the hunting season, when training activity often coincides with the breeding period of many wild bird species. She also reminded the public that the prohibition on hunting dog training applies throughout the British Bases, not only in designated protected areas, and that fixed penalty notices are issued.
SBA Police Inspector Tony Demetriou said offenders face a fixed penalty of €300, or on conviction up to two years in prison, a fine of €3,417, or both. “A drone and other specialised equipment are used to check large natural habitat areas affected by the illegal activity,” he said, adding that joint operations would continue.
Illegal hunting dog training can be reported to the SBA Police on 1443.
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