Wildlife

Wild Barn Owl Rodenticide Poisoning

The welfare and conservation threat posed by rodenticide poisoning of barn owls and other raptors through the food chain.

Key Facts

Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides accumulate in barn owl livers
Over 70% of barn owls tested in the UK show exposure to rodenticides
Rodenticide poisoning causes internal hemorrhaging and slow death
Legal restrictions on rodenticide use are regularly circumvented
Alternative rodent control using biological means and habitat management is possible

Welfare Considerations

Rodenticide poisoning causes terrible suffering for individual owls through slow internal bleeding. The widespread contamination of barn owl populations represents a persistent, preventable welfare crisis linked to irresponsible rodenticide use.

What You Can Do

Advocate for stricter rodenticide regulation and enforcement
Support barn owl conservation charities monitoring rodenticide contamination
Use Barn Owl Trust approved methods for rodent control near owl habitat