Wildlife Conservation

Wild Common Buzzard and Rodenticide Secondary Poisoning

Common buzzards are recovering strongly in the UK but face ongoing welfare threats from secondary poisoning by rodenticides. This preventable welfare problem requires behaviour change from pest control operators.

Key Facts

Buzzards consume small mammals including rabbits and voles that may carry rodenticide body burdens
Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides including brodifacoum and bromadiolone accumulate in the food chain
Buzzard carcasses tested in the UK show high rates of rodenticide body burden
Rodenticide poisoning causes haemorrhage, lethargy and slow death over days to weeks
Barn owls, red kites and other raptors are also affected by rodenticide secondary poisoning

Welfare Considerations

Rodenticide secondary poisoning causes prolonged suffering and death in raptors through internal haemorrhage. This preventable welfare problem requires the transition to rodenticide-free pest control wherever possible.

What You Can Do

Advocate for professional pest control operators to follow the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use guidelines
Support organisations monitoring raptor rodenticide poisoning incidence
Choose rodenticide-free pest control methods such as trapping where possible