Wildlife Poisoning from Agricultural Rodenticides

Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides used in agriculture and urban settings kill far beyond target species, accumulating in predators and scavengers across food webs.

Key Facts

Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) persist in liver tissue for weeks to months
Studies find SGAR residues in over 70% of barn owls and red kites in the UK
Predators die slowly from internal bleeding after eating poisoned rodents — a process taking days
SGARs are also toxic to pets — dogs and cats are frequently accidentally poisoned
The EU has restricted professional use of SGARs, but enforcement gaps remain

Welfare Considerations

Rodenticide poisoning causes a prolonged and painful death. Animals affected include barn owls, buzzards, red kites, foxes, pine martens, and domestic pets — all secondary victims of a product aimed at rodents. Even sublethal exposure impairs immune function, reproductive success, and behaviour. The welfare harm extends across multiple species and trophic levels. Integrated pest management approaches that reduce reliance on rodenticides are both effective and far less harmful.

What You Can Do

Use snap traps or other physical rodent control methods instead of rodenticides
If you must use rodenticides, choose first-generation products with lower persistence
Report suspected poisoning of wild birds or mammals to wildlife authorities
Support campaigns for tighter restrictions on SGAR availability to the public
Encourage landowners to adopt barn owl nest boxes and habitat management as alternatives