Wildlife Welfare

Wild Barn Owl Rodenticide Exposure

Barn owls are acutely vulnerable to secondary rodenticide poisoning through prey consumption, causing welfare harm and population impacts requiring urgent management.

Key Facts

Over 90% of barn owls tested in UK post-mortem contain residues of anticoagulant rodenticides
Brodifacoum and other second-generation anticoagulants accumulate through food chains
Sublethal effects include bleeding disorders, reproductive failure, and impaired hunting
Barn owl numbers have declined significantly in areas with intensive rodenticide use
Wildlife-safe rodent management alternatives include snap traps, monitoring, and habitat management

Welfare Considerations

Anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning causes internal haemorrhage and death in barn owls that have done nothing more than consume their natural prey. This represents an entirely avoidable welfare harm caused by irresponsible rodenticide use in agricultural and domestic settings.

What You Can Do

Use snap traps rather than second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides where possible
Never place rodenticide bait in locations accessible to owls or other predators
Support the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use to protect barn owls