"Police in the British base in Dhekelia on Friday said they have dealt a blow to bird trappers and highlighted their commitment to stamping out poaching by destroying a large number of mist nets and bird imitating devices, all seized from bird trappers over the past year. In addition, more than 60 kilometres of illegal irrigation pipes were used to support the illegal trapping of songbirds have also been removed."
Trapping, often with illegal nets or by using glue that makes them stick to a surface, of songbirds is very common, though illegal, in Cyprus. More enthusiasm for combatting it in the British base area than in the rest of the country. Animal welfare not apparently a cultural priority historically, and charity shops that support animal rescue almost invariably run by Brits. There is, of course, a market for these birds, equally illegal obviously. They are considered a delicacy and some restaurants as well as individuals are happy to serve them surreptitiously to interested customers.