Cyprus committee to seek penalties for mistreatment of dead animals after Chloraka sea turtle video

Chloraka, Cyprus. Cyprus’ parliamentary environment committee will pursue amendments to introduce explicit penalties for the mistreatment of dead animals following outrage over a video showing workers abusing the carcass of a sea turtle on a beach in Chloraka.

Committee cites legislative and procedural gap

Committee chairman and ecologists MP Charalambos Theopemptou said the incident exposed a clear legislative and procedural gap.
While existing laws focus on the protection of live protected species, he said there is no specific provision governing conduct towards dead animals, even in protected areas.
“After we saw the unacceptable video about the turtle in Chloraka, it became clear that there is a gap both in legislation and in the training of local personnel on the protocols that must be followed when dead animals are found,” he said, adding that in other countries such behaviour can carry prison sentences.
He confirmed that amendments would be examined “immediately” in forthcoming committee meetings.

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Video and identification of those involved

The video, which circulated widely on social media, shows four men kicking and throwing a dead turtle while one of them films the incident.
The men were later identified as employees of the Chloraka community council, aged 58, 47, 27 and 22.

Police and veterinary findings

Police confirmed that veterinary services carried out an autopsy, which determined the turtle had been dead for approximately 48 hours and was in a state of decomposition.

Political reactions

Despite this, all parties in parliament condemned the conduct as degrading and unacceptable.
Akel MP Marina Nikolaou said the case had caused “disgust and anger in society”, particularly as it involved local authority employees.

What measures do you think should be included in law to address the mistreatment of dead animals?