The Sovereign Base Areas Police and the Environment Department have been carrying out joint operations since January against the illegal training of hunting dogs in protected areas at Akrotiri, Episkopi and Paramali.
Training hunting dogs within Special Protection Areas in the SBAs is prohibited under the Game and Wild Birds Ordinance, as the zones are considered among the most important habitats in Cyprus for migratory species and those that breed in the area.
SBA Administration Environment Officer Alexia Perdiou said many of the species found there nest on the ground or in low vegetation and are especially vulnerable to disturbance. Dogs moving through natural habitats risk causing breeding birds to abandon their nests, leaving eggs and chicks exposed to predators.
“Repeated disturbance may eventually force birds to abandon important nesting areas altogether,” Perdiou said. “This is of particular concern during the months following the end of the hunting season, when hunting dog training activity often coincides with the breeding period of many wild bird species.”
Although enforcement efforts are focused on the most sensitive protected areas, Perdiou noted that hunting dog training is prohibited throughout the SBAs and that fixed penalty notices are issued.
SBA Police Inspector Tony Demetriou said offenders face a fixed penalty of €300 or, if convicted, up to two years in prison, a fine of up to €3,417, or both.
“A drone and other specialised equipment are used to check large natural habitat areas affected by the illegal activity,” Demetriou said. “We will continue our joint operations and urge hunters to avoid training dogs in these areas, in order to protect important bird species and their habitats.”
Any illegal dog training activity should be reported to SBA Police on 1443.