Wildlife in Cyprus
Wildlife in Cyprus is among the most varied in the Mediterranean. For the tourists who come in summer when much of the land is barren and dry, wildlife in Cyprus seems almost non-existent. You can find wildlife all over the island, from the coast to the inner capital city Nicosia. But Cyprus is actually home to hundreds of wild flowers, including over 50 species of orchids. The best time to see wild flowers in Cyprus is during springtime. Go to the countryside and visit areas such as Paphos forest to experience greenery and see Cyprus trees. In spring the fragrance in the air is intoxicating and the landscape is soaked in colour. Keep your eyes peeled for Pink Gladioli and the unique wild tulip in the village of Polemi in Paphos. There is a whole field dedicated to the protection of this flower. The best places to see wild flowers though are definitely in the Troodos and Kyrenia mountain ranges, and the Akamas Peninsula. Reptiles in Cyprus
Cyprus is the only place where Loggerhead Turtles and Green Turtles lay their eggs, especially Lara Bay in the west and the beaches along the Karpaz peninsula in the North East. Both types of turtle are endangered species and it is important to respect their breeding and nesting grounds. Nesting periods are between mid May and mid October. The turtles are a symbol of how the wildlife in Cyprus is suffering under economic growth. Big efforts are in place to protect the turtles from extinction, particularly by The Lara Turtle Conservation Project and The Environmental Protection Office of North Cyprus. You can also volunteer at the Lara Beach Turtle Station during your travels. There are a few species of native Cypus snakes, most of which are harmless like the Coin Snake. Only one, the Blunt Nosed Viper, is deadly but it will not attack unless threatened. Most tourists will never see snakes in Cyprus, as they tend to hide away. Snakes are unfortunately treated as pests in Cyprus even though they contribute much to the island. Please do your bit for the endangered snakes of Cyprus by signing this petition. Cyprus Marine Life
A wide array of sea animals live off the Cyprus coast and clear waters make the island a treat for scuba divers. Look out for octopus, sea urchins, barracuda, moray eels and starfish, to name a few! In addition, you may see turtles swimming during the day although this is rare. I’m going to also list dolphins in this section rather than under mammals, because keeping dolphins in captivity is banned in Cyprus so you won’t see any inland. However it is possible to see dolphins on boat trips around the island. Cyprus Mammals
Sadly unless something is done soon, the monk seal which lives along the coast will face extinction. Mammals on the island are quite limited in species compared to other types of wildlife in Cyprus.
Animal Charities in CyprusThe wildlife in Cyprus can't always look after itself. Several animal welfare charities are in place to look after the sick and mistreated animals on the island. Many also aim to educate Cypriots about treatment of animals (something that is unfortunately very backwards compared to many other European countries). When on the island, please do your bit to help preserve the wildlife in Cyprus!
• The Donkey Sanctuary (located at 4772 Vouni Village in Limassol at the foothills of the Troodos Mountains). If you see a sick or mistreated donkey please inform the Donkey Sanctuary. Locals and expats should also stay vigilant for cases of abandoned donkeys whose owners can no longer afford to keep them. Tourists can also visit the sanctuary between 10am and 4am free of charge. If you would like to visit and walk or groom one of the donkeys, it is asked that you call a day in advance. If you wish, you can make a donation or adopt a rescue donkey. (Tel - 00 357 259 44151 or email info@donkeysanctuarycyprus.org). • The British Forces Animal Welfare Society (BFAWS) provides a refuge for dogs and cats on the island and aim to re-home them. Funded through donations fundraisers, the BFAWS is located at Waterloo Road in Larnaca. (Tel – 24 744 432). • The Cyprus Association for the Protection and Care of Animals (CAPCA) is a charity with links to the RSPCA and WSPA. They run their own dog shelter and welcome donations of pet food. You can find a map of their location on their website. (Tel – 99 683 775). • The Malcolm Cat Protection Society is a charity run cat sanctuary. Cats are available for adoption and the charity has an active calendar of fundraising events. They are located in Limassol. (Tel – 2595 2622). • The Kyrenia Animal Rescue Centre is recognised by the RSPCA. As well as finding new homes for unwanted animals, the charity neuters feral cats and dogs and treats them for fleas and other irritations. They also run several animal welfare campaigns. The centre is in the Besparmak (Pentytaklos) mountains. (Tel – 533 8694 098). Thank you for respecting the wildlife in Cyprus!
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