Raptor Poisoning from Agricultural Use

Intentional and incidental poisoning of raptors using agricultural chemicals remains one of the primary causes of raptor mortality across Europe and North America, causing prolonged suffering and population-level effects.

Key Facts

Carbofuran, aldicarb, and other pesticides are illegally used to poison raptors that prey on game birds
Persecution accounts for 10-20% of reported buzzard and red kite mortality in UK studies
Secondary poisoning from rodenticides affects barn owls, kestrels, and other species extensively
Wildlife crime DNA databases are now enabling prosecution of poisoning cases through feather samples
Grouse moors are disproportionately represented in raptor persecution locations in Scotland

Welfare Considerations

Raptors poisoned by agricultural chemicals die from neurological seizures, cardiac arrest, and organ failure — prolonged, distressing processes that can take hours. Secondary poisoning from rodenticide accumulation causes progressive neurological deterioration. Intentional persecution involving baited carcasses targets apex predators for perceived economic reasons with full knowledge of the suffering caused. The welfare and conservation harms are inseparable — the same birds that are persecuted are the ones recovering from historical pollution with the most fragile population dynamics.

What You Can Do

Report suspected raptor persecution to police wildlife crime units
Support the Raptor Persecution UK and similar monitoring organizations
Donate to organizations investigating and prosecuting wildlife crime
Advocate for stronger penalties for raptor poisoning as a serious wildlife crime
Raise awareness about raptor persecution as a deliberate welfare crime, not incidental harm