Kite by Vivek Chugh
photo by Vivek Chugh

Eagles, Buzzards, Red Kites and Peregrine Falcon Poisoned

May 2010.

10 protected birds of prey have been confirmed as being poisoned in the Republic of Ireland. The birds include a Golden Eagle, two White-Tailed Eagles, three Red Kites, three Buzzards and a Peregrine Falcon.

All the birds were poisoned by ingesting meat baits laced with Alpha Chloralose. Chloralose is an avicide, a rodentcide used to kill mice. In this instance it is believed, but not confirmed that Alpha Chloralose was use used as a narcotic to target crows and wild foxes. Chloralose itself, is widely used in neuroscience and veterinary medicine as an anaesthetic and sedative.

"All the evidence we have points to Alphachloralose being the number one poison of choice in use today and the most prevalent toxin threatening the viability of the Red Kite reintroduction in Wicklow", said Damian Clarke, Project Manager for the Golden Eagle Trust. "Despite the fact that it has been banned for some years in the UK, we still continue to allow its production and use in Ireland. This is unsustainable and we have a duty to afford Kites from Northern Ireland the same protection as in the UK", Clarke added.

The two Red Kites and the Peregrine Falcon were found dead in Co. Wicklow, the third was found dead in Co. Kilidare. The Golden Eagle was found dead in Co. Leitrim and the Buzzards in West Waterford, east Cork and Donegal.

In 2008 a law was passed banning the use of poison on meat baits for the control of crows however, it is still permitted under current regulations (Protection of Animals Act 1965) for controlling the numbers of foxes. This loophole has had a devastating effect on other wildlife – and in particular birds of prey. An amendment to the Wildlife Act is imminent.

Source: various, including Wildlife Extra, GET, Irish newspapers

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