Wildlife

Wild Barn Owl Rodenticide Secondary Poisoning

Barn owls die from secondary poisoning when they eat rodents that have consumed anticoagulant rodenticides in farm buildings.

Key Facts

Over 90% of barn owls tested in UK studies show rodenticide residues
Second-generation anticoagulants accumulate in owls causing hemorrhage
First-generation rodenticides are less harmful to predators
Rodenticide-free pest management using barn owl nest boxes is an alternative

Welfare Considerations

Secondary rodenticide poisoning causes internal hemorrhage and progressive weakness over days in barn owls. The slow death by blood thinning is a significant welfare problem directly linked to rat control practices. Barn owls themselves provide effective rodent control, making their poisoning a cruel irony.

What You Can Do

Advocate for restrictions on second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides
Install barn owl nest boxes as a rodent control strategy
Support grain storage improvements that reduce rodent access without chemicals
Report suspected rodenticide poisoning in raptors to wildlife agencies