Griechenland – 17. 04. 2025

Masked poachers aussault CABS team in Zakynthos, three birdwatchers injured and hospitalised, police have identified first suspects

Zakynthos. A group of approximately 15 masked hunters have ambushed and beaten up a team of international ornithologists from the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) on the Greek island of Zakynthos yesterday, the organisation said in a statement. As a result three birdwatchers were injured and taken to hospital for treatment. Police have launched an investigation.

According to CABS the incident happened yesterday at around 12.30 pm at the Keri peninsula, an area known for massive illegal shooting of migratory birds. ´Despite a total ban on hunting in spring many hunters were present, most of them were carrying shotguns. While our team documented the situation some poachers approached us and started to hurl insults and threaten us. Within minutes they were joined by other angry hunters and the situation went totally out of control` said Italian team member Stefania Travaglia. She added that without warning her team members were punched in the face, thrown to the ground and kicked in the stomach. `They also threw stones and warned us never to return to Keri again if we would value our lifes`, British team member Emma Phipps recalls. A body camera and a smart phone, which both recorded the incident, were also stolen by the attackers.

The men only stopped their attack and ran off when they realised that the police had been called for help and a patrol was on the way to the scene. While the officers were trying to find and identify the attackers a female and two male birdwatchers were transported to the Saint Dionysios General Hospital in Zakynthos where doctors treated a broken nose as well as several open wounds and bruises caused by the attack. `We understand that the police department in Zakynthos have already identified a number of suspects which have been brought in for questioning`, Mrs. Phipps reported.

CABS president Karl-Heinz Kreutzer today condemned the attack as a ´brutal and cowardly assault´ and called upon the authorities to leave no stone unturned to bring those responsible to justice. He added that CABS will not bow to violence and intimidation tactics and that its members will continue with its activities on Zakynthos until the end of the month.

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

The picture attached to this PR shows a Slowenian CABS member with a broken nose and bloody clothes after the attack

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