Bird deaths fall 70% after British curb Cyprus poachers

A CRACKDOWN on illegal bird killing at a British base in Cyprus has led to a big drop in the number of poachers, authorities said.

There has also been a 70 per cent reduction in the trapping of blackcap songbirds over the past 12 months, officials said.

The small migratory birds are considered a delicacy by some Cypriots and trapping feeds a multimillion-pound illicit trade.

TV presenter Chris Packham has campaigned against catching blackcaps. One small mist net alone traps hundreds at a time, with the birds selling for up to £65 a dozen.

The military authorities destroyed 40 miles of irrigation pipes, which watered acacia trees concealing nets, and seized bird-trapping gear worth more than £40,000.

Over a thousand captive birds have also been released.

Dhekelia British base police chief Jon Ward said combating poachers remains a priority.