Man slapped with €23,500 fine for trying to trap moufflon

The game fund issued a fine of more than €20,000 on Monday, after an individual was found trying to ensnare protected moufflon to sell.

According to the game fund, a fine of €23,500 was issued on Monday, after snares were fond in an area close to the Paphos village of Arminou.

The snares had been set by one individual in hopes of trapping the protected species.

Since the day the wire snares were found, the area was put under surveillance and this morning a person was arrested as he was found to be checking and correcting the position of the snares.

In a subsequent search of the vehicle he was travelling in, two more snares were found and in a search of his home, following a court warrant, one more wire snare was found. The man was also fined following his arrest.

The game fund added that a complaint was filed against a man on August 7, who was purported to be hunting illegally, ahead of the season.

A search of his home showed a loaded hunting rifle.