Wildlife Poisoning and Predator Control Welfare

Poisoning of predators for livestock protection causes immense suffering and ecological harm. Evidence-based, non-lethal predator management protects livestock without these welfare costs.

Key Facts

Secondary poisoning from predator control toxicants affects non-target species including eagles and vultures
Compound 1080 and carbofuran cause prolonged painful deaths in poisoned animals
Non-lethal alternatives including LGDs, fladry, and exclusion fencing are effective in many contexts
Poisoning programs rarely achieve long-term predator population reduction due to immigration
The suffering of poisoned animals is prolonged and intense — often lasting many hours

Welfare Considerations

Predator poisoning for livestock protection causes severe and prolonged suffering in target and non-target animals. The suffering extends through food chains as secondary poisoning affects eagles, vultures, and other scavengers. Evidence consistently shows that non-lethal alternatives are more effective at sustained livestock protection than lethal control, which creates vacuums quickly filled by immigration. Targeted support for non-lethal predator management transitions protects both livestock and predator welfare.

What You Can Do

Oppose the use of poison baits for predator control in livestock management
Support programs providing non-lethal predator management alternatives to farmers
Advocate for bans on the most harmful predator toxicants
Donate to organizations developing and scaling non-lethal predator coexistence programs
Report illegal predator poisoning to wildlife authorities