More Birds Of Prey Poisoned

**Anfield** · 09-Dec-10, 16:55

Two more Buzzards have been found on Strathspey Estate, killed in an agonising way by being poisoned by the banned pesticide cabofuran. Story

The estate said it was shocked by the poisoning. A spokesman added: "Considering the efforts made to enhance the wildlife conservation and biodiversity on the estate, it is inconceivable that any of our staff had any part whatsoever in the laying of poisoned bait responsible for the deaths of two buzzards near Boat of Garten.."

I wonder if his nose grew a couple of inches when he said this

The constant links to bird deaths, by poisoning and Estates is an embarrassment to the whole of Scotland

**ducati** · 09-Dec-10, 17:31

This is very close the Osprey nesting site. Not that I value one species above another, but you can be certain if any Osprey was poisoned the Police and press would persue an investigation.

I know they are not there now but if there are bird murders in the area.....

**Walter Ego** · 09-Dec-10, 18:31

Originally Posted by Anfield

Two more Buzzards have been found on Strathspey Estate, killed in an agonising way by being poisoned by the banned pesticide cabofuran. Story

The estate said it was shocked by the poisoning. A spokesman added: "Considering the efforts made to enhance the wildlife conservation and biodiversity on the estate, it is inconceivable that any of our staff had any part whatsoever in the laying of poisoned bait responsible for the deaths of two buzzards near Boat of Garten.."

I wonder if his nose grew a couple of inches when he said this

The constant links to bird deaths, by poisoning and Estates is an embarrassment to the whole of Scotland

Why should his 'nose grow a couple of inches'?

**spurtle** · 09-Dec-10, 18:38

Many of these poisonings are people lacing rabbits to get foxes, how can you be sure it was intended for birds of prey, Buzzards are mainly scavangers, why would estates want them gone?

**Anfield** · 09-Dec-10, 19:53

Originally Posted by spurtle

Many of these poisonings are people lacing rabbits to get foxes,

(1) The use of cabofuran is banned throughout the EU.
(2) To kill any animal by poisoning is a most despicable practice.
Some humans have come along way in the evolution chain but apparently not all

Originally Posted by spurtle

how can you be sure it was intended for birds of prey, Buzzards are mainly scavangers, why would estates want them gone?

Employees, often with owners blessing, of so called "sporting estates" kill any animal/birds which threaten their target species. If you look at the bottom of the page which I linked you will see some examples.

**spurtle** · 09-Dec-10, 22:09

I don't remember condoning the use of poison just pointing out the possible reasons. I think you would hate to be wrong in your pigeon holing , I don't think it would make a blind bit of difference to you who did it as long as you can blame the people you hate.

**George Brims** · 09-Dec-10, 23:25

What ticks me off about this is the term "target species". They are planning to kill something, then take out anything else that might (only might*) kill it first. What arrogance.
*I know a woman who had her son shoot a sparrowhawk because it was near her hen house. The thing was tiny, totally incapable of harming anything as big as a hen, but there it was lying on the ground dead. Ignorance.

**nirofo** · 10-Dec-10, 04:13

Originally Posted by spurtle

Many of these poisonings are people lacing rabbits to get foxes, how can you be sure it was intended for birds of prey, Buzzards are mainly scavangers, why would estates want them gone?

Why would they use banned and illegal substances if they were legit keepers etc, going about their business, carbofuran has been banned since 2001 and it's illegal to even have it in your posession. Gamekeepers are supposed to be trained and skilled at doing what they do, they certainly know that these poisons are banned.

So, if keepers are using illegal carbofuran they already know that the poison is indescriminate and will kill anything that eats the laced meat etc, they also know it will kill the bird or animal that then comes along and eats the bird or animal that was killed first. This is exactly what they want and it's obvious they don't give a damn as long as they kill something with a hooked beak or a claw.

Here's a photo of a Golden Eagle poisoned with illegal Strychnine, an agonising death from a deadly poison that passes on and on down the food chain, extremely small amounts can cause death.

Golden Eagle poisoned with Strychnine.

nirofo.