Griechenland – 07. 05. 2025

Zakynthos: CABS and Greek authorities clamp down on illegal spring hunting - 19 suspects reported, hunting equipment and dead birds seized.

The Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) has today released the first results of this year’s campaign against illegal bird hunting on Zakynthos, which has been running since the 12th of April. The eNGO revealed that so far, its team members, together with police officers and officers from the forest police, documented dozens of cases of bird poaching, mainly on the Keri peninsula which CABS described as a “stronghold for bird shooting in spring”, when all hunting is prohibited by law.

As a result, a total of 19 individuals were reported for shooting protected species and for hunting during the closed season. Six suspects were identified by police during joint field investigations with the conservationists, which also led to the confiscation of three shotguns, 180 rounds of shotgun ammunition, one walkie-talkie and one electronic bird caller. In addition to this, five freshly shot Golden Orioles, three globally threatened Turtle dove and an injured Bee-eater were found near hunting hides. Another 13 men were filmed red-handed by the CABS members. “All video evidence was handed over to the Forest Department and contains footage of the offences, the suspects, their guns and the registration plates of their vehicles”, said CABS Operations Officer Dr. Andrea Rutigliano. He added that CABS expect the authorities to ensure that wildlife criminals are being held accountable for the damage they are causing to nature.

With regards to the brutal assault on a CABS team on 16 April on the Keri peninsula CABS said that all three injured team members fully recovered and were able to return to fieldwork. According to CABS and local media reports the police have so far managed to identify four suspects who have been held for questioning in the central police station of Zakynthos. The incident has caused stir in local and international media and has also been condemned by the Hellenic Ornithological Society (Birdlife Greece) who urged authorities to show “no tolerance for spring hunting and such shameful displays of violence.”

CABS is an international NGO specialised in the protection of migratory birds in the Mediterranean. Based in Germany it has conducted successful campaigns against illegal bird hunting in France, Spain, Italy, Malta, Cyprus, Lebanon and – since 2023 also on Zakynthos where the group has since documented numerous “bird massacres” resulting in the death of hundreds of Turtle dove and other protected migratory birds. CABS also stated that – while still being a widespread phenomenon on Zakynthos – illegal hunting seems to have slightly decreased compared to the last two years. “When we compare the number of shots counted and the number of freshly prepared hunting hides found by our teams, we already see some signs of improvement,” CABS spokesperson Stefania Travaglia stated. The conservationists praised local law enforcement for their quick response and good cooperation although it is clear that there is no national action plan implemented in the island against illegal hunting and the forest department is unable to challenge this phenomenon alone. As long as the authorities in Athens refuse to send more personnel and assistance to the island, the conservationists will be forced to be on the frontline against illegalities this year and the years to come.

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For more information please contact CABS team leader Dr. Andrea Rutigliano: Phone +39 346 948 4460 or Email to CABS[ at] komitee.de

You can also find CABS on Instagram, X and Facebook: @CABS_reports