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A poisoned Bonelli’s eagle has led authorities to uncover a trove of illegal bird-trapping equipment, banned pesticides, unlicensed firearms, and dozens of protected birds, resulting in the arrest of a 40-year-old man in the Paphos district.
The investigation began around 9 a.m. Thursday, when the GPS tracker of a Bonelli’s eagle, part of the European LIFE Bonelli East Med conservation program, signaled it had stopped moving. Game and Fauna Service officers located the eagle’s body near a fenced field accessible only through private land. The bird's posture and the presence of a partially eaten, toxin-laced chick nearby strongly suggested poisoning.
“Our officers were immediately mobilized to retrieve the eagle and investigate the cause of death,” the Game and Fauna Service said in a statement. Several more similarly tainted chicks were found inside the fenced area, indicating deliberate baiting. DNA samples and evidence were collected for further analysis.
The property owner, contacted by authorities, reportedly refused to cooperate with officers from the Game and Fauna Service and police. His behavior led to a broader search operation under a court-issued warrant. What followed was a major seizure.
Seized during the operation:
-One dead Bonelli’s eagle, a protected and endangered species native to Cyprus
-Quantities of banned pesticides, suspected to have been brought in from the occupied areas
-Two unlicensed hunting rifles; three other registered firearms were found to be missing
-A wild bird-trapping net, three metal bird traps, and two wire snares
-Forty-seven lime-sticks and three electronic birdcall devices
-Over 70 plucked wild birds, including wood pigeons, many stored in freezers
-Sixty-five illegal or restricted cartridges, including single-slug and high-pellet rounds used in poaching
-Two boxes of commercial-grade fireworks
In the house, officers also discovered an air rifle, a single-barrel hunting shotgun, and additional ammunition. Wildlife remains were found stored in multiple locations, including kitchen and outdoor freezers.
The man was arrested under a court warrant and taken into custody to assist the ongoing investigation, led by the Paphos Criminal Investigation Department.
Authorities say the case displays the continued threats facing endangered species on the island and the broader issue of illegal poaching and trapping. The Game and Fauna Service is working closely with local police to ensure full prosecution of those responsible.
