Wildlife Poisoning and Secondary Toxicology

Secondary poisoning from rodenticides and other pesticides kills thousands of raptors, owls, and mammals annually in the UK, representing a serious and largely avoidable welfare problem.

Key Facts

Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) are found in over 90% of red kites tested
Buzzards, kestrels, barn owls, and polecats are all documented SGAR secondary poisoning victims
Carbofuran, an illegal pesticide, is still used illegally to poison birds of prey on some estates
Illegal raptor poisoning is documented in RSPB Birdcrime reports as a persistent criminal activity
Lead ammunition from game shooting contaminates carcasses eaten by red kites and eagles
Sweden and Denmark have successfully reduced raptor secondary poisoning through pesticide restrictions

Welfare Considerations

Secondary wildlife poisoning causes prolonged and painful deaths across multiple species. Anticoagulant rodenticide victims haemorrhage internally over days. Carbofuran poisoning causes convulsions and acute respiratory failure over minutes to hours. Lead poisoning causes progressive neurological damage over weeks. These are serious individual welfare harms multiplied across thousands of animals annually. The regulatory tools to address primary and secondary poisoning exist - their inconsistent application reflects enforcement failures and, in some cases, deliberate law-breaking. Consumer pressure on pesticide manufacturers and retailers can complement regulatory action.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB Birdcrime reporting and wildlife crime investigation funding
Advocate for further restrictions on second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides
Choose game meat from verified lead-free ammunition sources
Report suspected raptor poisoning or illegal pesticide use to police and RSPCA
Back campaigns for mandatory recording of all raptor deaths on shooting estates