Joint delegation to deliver a collection of protest postcards as new data reveals a surge in successful prosecutions and a sharp decline in daily gunshots.
On Wednesday 29th of April, a high-level delegation of international conservationists from the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) and partners from BirdLife Greece visited Georgios Stasinopoulos, the Zakynthos Major’s office to hand over a collection of protest postcards signed by members of the public. This formal action aims to pressure local leadership to take a decisive stand against the illegal spring slaughter of protected migratory birds.
The meeting comes as the committee releases its latest field results for spring 2026, showing that cooperative enforcement efforts are helping to turn the tide against illegal hunting. Since 11 April, the team has secured evidence leading to the prosecution of 11 hunters – nearly double the total achieved during the same period in the 2025 season. This success comes despite poachers employing an organised network of ‘spotters’ who alert hunters to anti-poaching patrols, frequently leading to scenes of numerous hunters’ cars fleeing the area as monitors approach.
In addition to the 11 hunters caught red-handed, formal investigations have been filed against seven others, supported by high-definition video evidence and vehicle identification. The crackdown has forced poachers into desperate retreats; five fleeing hunters abandoned their firearms at the scene to avoid arrest, while others left behind vehicles and clear forensic evidence.
Crucially, the team reports a significant behavioural shift in the field. Despite more active sites being identified, the total volume of daily gunshots has plummeted. In the Keri region – traditionally the island’s most significant poaching hotspot – maximum daily shots have dropped from over 100 to approximately 40. Although still a significant issue, this suggests that systematic enforcement from police and game wardens alongside the constant presence of our monitoring teams are effectively suppressing illegal activity.
"We are still far from the complete eradication of this illegal practice. However, the progress achieved this year gives grounds for cautious optimism. Through sustained political and public pressure, and with the support of our organisations, we are sending a clear message to poachers: there is no longer any tolerance for the killing of migratory birds disguised under the pretext of ‘tradition’. Public awareness is steadily increasing, with more and more people publicly expressing their opposition to such a practice - the postcards delivered to the Mayor clearly demonstrate this." reflects Myrto Karydi, Species Protection Policy Officer at the Hellenic Ornithological Society.
“The public postcards we are delivering represent a collective demand for change,” said CABS spokesperson Stefania Travaglia. “A law without proper enforcement is not worth the paper it’s printed on. We are now asking the Major and his team to ensure this progress is not just temporary, but a permanent transition for better protection of the island’s precious natural heritage.”
Anti-poaching operations in Zakynthos will continue until the end of the migration season, with teams expanding their search into unexplored regions to map new hunting sites for future enforcement actions.
