article_snippet: The illegal activity has now caused a drastic drop in the numbers of blackcaps, robins and songbirds and has been dubbed 'out of control'.
article_snippet: Trapping our figures has been illegal since 1974 and our figures is against the laws and regulations of the base area.'
article_snippet: Nearly 4,000 poachers are believed to be involved in the autumn trapping season - much higher than in summer because the birds are plumper.
article_snippet: Clairie Papazoglou, Birdlife Cyprus chief, said poaching was a 'serious, persistent and growing problem'.
article_snippet: Poachers that are caught can currently receive penalties of up to three years in jail and fines as high as 17,000 euros (£12,215).
article_snippet: A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman are committed to tackling poaching which is why A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman arrested nearly 50 poachers and seized 450 nets and 286 piece of poaching equipment during the last migration period. 
article_snippet: When A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman catch poachers A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman can fine poachers €17,000, or send poachers to prison for up to 3 years. '