Hunters are blamed for the indiscriminate slaughter of the bats "rousettus aegyptiacus" that live in clearly-delineated protected areas across Cyprus.

Tens of dead bats were scattered inside and around a cave in the southwestern region of Vretsia near Paphos following the shootings on Sunday.

"We believe hunters went into a fenced-off and sign-posted restricted area, entered the cave to scare them out and then started shooting," forestry department officer Harris Nicolaou told AFP Thursday.

"They are protected in Cyprus and by EU law because this is their only habitat in Europe and where they feed must also be preserved," he added.

He said that some people have the "misconception" that fruit bats are pests while others just kill them "for fun".

"But where these bats were killed there are no houses, it's a forest, the only thing we can do is build bigger fences."

The official conceded that Cyprus could be in hot water with the EU if it was seen not to be doing enough to protect the island's 3,500 Egyptian fruit bat population, now in decline because of such random purges.

Those found guilty of killing fruit bats face a maximum fine of 1,000 pounds (1,708 euros) plus a six-month prison term, although nobody has gone to prison to date.

This latest case comes after 52 threatened red-footed migrating falcons were gunned down by hunters in October.

Last year, during the hunting season, some 1,000 fruits bats were slaughtered in a single incident.

The Egyptian fruit bat is a species of Old World fruit bat found throughout Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific islands.

A statement issued by the Cyprus Green party on Thursday criticised the government for not doing enough to prevent such "crimes".

"Unfortunately, irresponsible hunters have repeatedly destroyed their natural habitat. Many criminals are indifferent to the law and the authorities seem powerless to stop it."

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