Wildlife

Raptor Secondary Poisoning: A Preventable Welfare Crisis

Secondary poisoning of raptors from rodenticides causes suffering and population-level impacts on birds of prey across Europe.

Key Facts

75% of barn owls tested in the UK carry anticoagulant rodenticide residues
Red kites in Wales show 20-50% prevalence of lethal or near-lethal rodenticide levels in some studies
Anticoagulant poisoning causes internal hemorrhage over days before death
First and second generation anticoagulants differ in persistence and wildlife risk

Welfare Considerations

Anticoagulant rodenticides cause prolonged suffering through progressive internal bleeding over days to weeks. Affected birds show weakness, impaired flight, and hemorrhages before death. The welfare cost falls on non-target species that are legally protected and whose populations are often already under pressure from other human impacts.

What You Can Do

Use rodent control methods that do not create toxic residues in prey species
Follow CRRU guidance on the responsible use of rodenticides when they must be used
Support transition to second-generation anticoagulant alternatives with lower wildlife persistence
Report dead or dying birds of prey to RSPCA or local wildlife groups for rodenticide testing