Barn Owl Welfare and Secondary Rodenticide Poisoning

Barn owls are the most widely poisoned raptor in the UK and Europe through secondary ingestion of rodenticide-contaminated prey, causing significant population welfare impacts.

Key Facts

UK monitoring data shows rodenticide residues in 80-90% of barn owls tested from across England and Wales
Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) such as bromadiolone cause internal bleeding, weakness and death over several days
Barn owls eat approximately 2-3 small mammals per night; if prey populations carry rodenticide burden, exposure is cumulative
SGARs are legal for professional pest control but their use near owl habitat creates significant welfare risks

Welfare Considerations

Secondary rodenticide poisoning is an insidious welfare problem — affected owls die slowly over several days from internal haemorrhage, becoming increasingly weak and unable to hunt. The suffering involved is significant and prolonged. The near-universal exposure across the UK barn owl population indicates that current rodenticide regulations are failing to protect wildlife. Monitoring data reveals that high-intensity arable areas near grain stores carry the highest contamination risk.

What You Can Do

Advocate for tighter restrictions on SGAR use in agricultural and urban settings near owl habitat
Install nest boxes away from known rodenticide application sites
Report sick or dead owls to the Barn Owl Trust or Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS)
Use snap traps and other mechanical rodent control methods as a first-line alternative to rodenticides