Poisoning
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Reduce number of poisoning events
Data collection in progress
Iron Curtain to Green Belt
Bulgaria
Problem: The use of poison against predators, particularly wolves and jackals, but also vultures and eagles, is illegal but common in the project landscape. Illegal poisoning with bait is used by farmers and shepherds when they feel their livestock are at risk from wild carnivores.
Action: Improving human-wildlife coexistence is critical for the successful survival of carnivores in this landscape. The project will implement mitigation, prevention and education efforts to reduce conflict and improve coexistence between carnivores and local communities. Efforts include providing electric fences to protect livestock, setting up a livestock compensation scheme, support for rangers to patrol for illegal activities, and using an anti-poisoning dog unit.
Indicator: The number of poisoning events will be assessed via the number of registered cases of illegal use of poisonous bait and the number of poisoned wild animals found each year. This will indicate to the project if their mitigation, prevention and education efforts are having the desired effect.
Methods
The number of poisoning events will be collected annually from the number of poisoned baits and poisoned wild animals that are reported and recorded by the regional authorities (police, forestry services, regional inspectorate of environment) and wildlife rehabilitation centre. This data will be supplemented by direct reports from local residents.
As this is an illegal activity, the reporting rate from official authorities is likely to be an underestimate and so it is important to directly communicate with local residents to understand the true rate of poisoning events.
Two unfortunate examples of illegal poisoning killing an imperial eagle (left) and white-tailed eagle (right). Photo: BSPB
Results
The baseline value for this indicator from 2023 was five poisoning events. This included eight poisoned specimens, which affected four different species (three wild bird species – Cinerous vulture, Egyptian vulture, raven – plus one domestic dog). This page will be updated as new annual information becomes available.
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