Falconry Hunting Proposed in Cyprus to Curb Pigeon Population

A proposal to legalize falconry and the use of other predatory birds for hunting in Cyprus has been put forward as a solution to control the growing pigeon population in the Paphos area. The initiative was presented by Chrisanthos Savvidis, a Member of Parliament for the Democratic Party (Diko).

Farmers in the region have expressed support for the proposal. Yorgos Ellinas, a representative of the House of Representatives' Environmental Committee, revealed that the pigeon population has "significantly increased from the area of Kouklia to Agios Georgios in Peyia, causing the birds to feed on vegetable and fruit crops."

As a result, pigeons have caused considerable damage, even destroying some crops entirely in their search for food.

The increasing pigeon population has been further fueled by the abundance of trees in the area. Traditional hunting methods have proven ineffective, as pigeons have spread to regions where hunting is prohibited.

The proposal would grant the current Minister of Agriculture the authority to issue decrees legalizing falconry in specific areas to control the population of wild species that "damage agricultural crops in regions where hunting is prohibited."

According to Savvidis, falconry is an ancient practice that has been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage. The practice has also been revived in Greece as a means of reducing the number of wild birds that harm crops.