Poison dangerous to humans and pets in Pest county poses significant threat

A new case of mass bird poisoning has occurred in Pest County. The illegally placed poison—dangerous to humans, domestic animals, and wildlife—has claimed the lives of a strictly protected eastern imperial eagle, eight protected common buzzards, and five ravens, the Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Society (MME) reported on Tuesday.

On Friday, 7 March, a citizen reported the discovery of dead birds to the ranger service of the Duna-Ipoly National Park Directorate. The birds were found within the operational area of the Felső-Tápiómenti Hunting Association, between the towns of Sülysáp and Mende. Upon arriving at the scene, a conservation officer found the carcasses of an eastern imperial eagle and a common buzzard, both suspected to have fallen victim to poisoning, as well as poultry remains likely used as bait.

The suspicion of poisoning was confirmed by MME’s specialised poison and carcass detection dog unit, which was dispatched to the location.

Working together with the ranger service, the unit combed through the area and discovered the remains of one strictly protected eastern imperial eagle, eight protected common buzzards, and five ravens, along with six suspected poisoned baits. Authorities noted in their statement that the investigation of the area will continue in the coming days, and more carcasses are expected to be found.

They emphasised that the situation is particularly alarming because experts even found poison-treated bait—hazardous to humans, domestic animals, and wildlife—right on the outskirts of Sülysáp.