Rare seagull colony in Cyprus is declining.

The EU has designated the islets off the Karpasia peninsula as a conservation priority for Audouin's gull due to declining numbers in the area's only breeding colony. This designation is part of an international action plan adopted by the EU in 2025, based on data from 15 countries. The Kleides islets are crucial for the species' survival in the Levant and represent the easternmost breeding site globally. BirdLife Cyprus has monitored the colony since 2007, noting a concerning downward population trend. The action plan aims to implement targeted measures to protect the gulls during their breeding season.