Illegal trapping of protected Cyprus birds worsens

updated 5:54 p.m. ET Dec. 20, 2007

NICOSIA, Cyprus - Illegal trappers on Cyprus killed more than half a million protected birds this fall for sale at local restaurants, conservationists said Thursday.

It was the worst massacre in four years and came despite a European Union ban on the decades-old tradition, said BirdLife Cyprus Executive Director Martin Hellicar.

"Illegal bird trapping in Cyprus is an indiscriminate practice that threatens many protected bird species," Hellicar said. "The picture emerging from 2007 is grim."

Migratory birds cooked over coals are a traditional delicacy and sell for up to $7 each in restaurants. They are trapped with lime-covered sticks and nets.

BirdLife Cyprus said there is "overwhelming evidence" that more birds are being served in restaurants despite a government ban.

Hellicar said the problem continues because poachers' profits are huge, the fines are too small and not pressure is put on restaurants.

A senior Council of Europe biodiversity official was even offered the delicacy on a recent visit to Cyprus, BirdLife Cyprus said.

Cyprus, in the Eastern Mediterranean, has come under strong pressure from the EU — which it joined in 2004 — to end the practice.

More from msnbc.com White House is sued over Obama visitor logs Cosmic Log: Light show sparks UFO buzz Field Notes: How Tiger Woods betrayed me, too Your body's big enemy? You are sitting on it Bin Laden remains elusive, frustrating U.S. Send us images of your salutes to troops, friends, kin Giving back for the holiday season? Tell us how

MORE FROM ENVIRONMENT

Environment Section Front

China, U.S. trade barbs at climate talks Al Gore rebuts Palin's climate change claims NYT: Climate deal likely to cost trillions of dollars NYT: Millions in U.S. drink dirty water South Pole trek: White out, sticky snow U.N.: Decade likely warmest on record Life, death and climate in Bangladesh Climate talks open with pressure on U.S. EPA: Greenhouse gases are harmful Wolf recovery at crossroads in Southwest Environment Section Front   Add Environment headlines to your news reader: