Illegal poisoning of raptors using banned pesticides causes significant welfare harm and wildlife crime across the UK, particularly affecting hen harriers, red kites, and buzzards.
Illegal raptor poisoning causes one of the most acute welfare emergencies in UK wildlife - an animal dying from organophosphate or carbamate poisoning experiences convulsions, respiratory failure, and prolonged neurological distress before death. Carbofuran baits that are consumed by raptors cause rapid onset convulsive poisoning that is visible in the behavioral signs of affected birds - seizuring, loss of coordination, and inability to fly. Secondary poisoning affects non-target species that consume poisoned prey or baits, spreading welfare harm beyond the intended target species. The systematic nature of some raptor persecution, particularly of hen harriers on grouse moors, represents a sustained welfare crime that law enforcement resources currently cannot adequately address.