Shocking! Almost 50 protected birds of prey killed with poison in Hungary

Wikicommons by Yathin S Krishnappa

Last week, 101 poisoned baits and the carcasses of 50 animals killed by poisoning – 96% protected bird – were found on the border of Tura. This case is the most severe intentional predatory poisoning crime of all time in Hungary, which could have caused a local ecological catastrophe if nature conservation organisations did not respond immediately.

Based on shreds of evidence, the perpetrators treated the baits with strong neurotoxins that were placed in huge numbers in the area. The neurotoxin has been found in the carcasses of 50 animals that died of poisoning, 96% of which were protected birds.

Both the method and the execution suggest that the perpetrators tried to completely eradicate predatory species from a large area on the border of Tura (Pest county).

Based on the fact that 96% of the victims were protected or highly protected bird species, the case is considered to be the most serious intentional predatory poisoning crime of all time in Hungary,

which could have caused a local ecological catastrophe if nature conservation organisations did not respond immediately.

As the Hungarian news portal HellóMagyar reports, the poisoned baits pose a threat not only to birds but any type of animals or even humans. Therefore, the Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Association (MME) requests that

anyone who detects suspicious cuts of meat, hen eggs or a large number of dead animals in the open air should not touch them in any way and notify the authorities immediately.

In addition to the carcasses of 44 protected duck hawks, two buzzards, two tree pipits, and two foxes, a poisoned Montagu’s Harrier was also found still alive on the crime scene. Thanks to rapid veterinary intervention, the bird’s condition has been stabilised, but it is still under treatment, and it is questionable whether it will fully recover.

Following a police scene, an investigation was launched against an unknown perpetrator.

The Association asks the public to notify the police immediately if they have information about the case.

A pair of imperial eagles nesting near the area have miraculously survived the poisoning. However, there is still a high risk that the birds will find a previously undiscovered poisoned bait or other animal killed by the poisoning.

Therefore, MME units, along with volunteers, have been working in recent days to remove poisoned baits and carcasses as quickly as possible in order to prevent further poisoning and imminent danger to life; and will continue to monitor the area continuously and thoroughly in the upcoming period.