LIFE PannonEagle kick-off
Illegal raptor killing in Austria … and WWF Austria’s fight against it
© R. Katzinger
Flora Hoser WWF Austria 8 November 2016
10 November 2016 - 1
Status of illegal predator poisoning in Austria
History of killing birds of prey in Austria •
Decades of full legal protection of raptors
•
Illegal persecution (trapping, shooting,
poisoning) has always continued •
In the 1990s sudden rise in raptor casualties due to appearance of highly efficient poisoned baits
•
Large, carrion-feeding birds of prey especially affected
•
Serious threat to recovery of the Austrian White-tailed Eagle population (1999) WWF Austria started the campaign „Vorsicht Gift!“ in 1999/2000
PannonEagle LIFE Project
10 November 2016 - 2
Status of illegal predator poisoning in Austria
Illegal animal killing in Austria Reported cases of illegal animal killing in Austria 1999 - 2016 300
250
200
150
100
50
0
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
PannonEagle LIFE Project
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PannonEagle LIFE Project
white stork
pidgeon
hawk
hen harrier
polecat
daw
eagle owl
kestrel
duck
golden eagle
jay
badger
red kite
dun crow
starling
imperial eagle
carrion crow
magpie
marten
fox
buzzard
marsh harrier
white-tailed eagle
hare
common buzzard
cat
dog
rook
Status of illegal predator poisoning in Austria
Illegal poisoing in Austria Poisoned species
250
200
150
100
50
0
10 November 2016 - 4
Status of illegal predator poisoning in Austria
Illegal raptor poisoning in Austria Raptors poisoned in Austria 2000 - 2016 60
number of poisoned individuals
50
40
30
20
10
0 Buzzards
PannonEagle LIFE Project
Marsh harrier
White-tailed eagle
Imperial eagle
Red kite
Kestrel
10 November 2016 - 5
Status of illegal predator poisoning in Austria
Illegal raptor poisoning in Austria
Imperial eagle in Austria
poisoned
shot
breeding
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
0
2002
1
2001
2
2000
3
18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0
1999
number of breeding pairs
Poisoned Imperial eagles in Austria
successfully breeding source: BirdLife Austria
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10 November 2016 - 6
Status of illegal predator poisoning in Austria
Illegal raptor poisoning in Austria
White-tailed eagle in Austria
Poisoned White-tailed eagles in Austria 5 4 3 2 1
poisoned
PannonEagle LIFE Project
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
0
shot
10 November 2016 - 7
Status of illegal predator poisoning in Austria
Illegal poisoning in Austria Poisons used snail and slug bait rodenticide
Benfuracarb Brodifacoum Bromadiolon Carbamate Carbofuran Cumarin derivative Cumarin derivative unknown
Carbofuran
DDT Flocoumafen Metaldehyd
Methiocarb Carbofuran
Propoxur Rodenticide Snail and slug bait Strychnine
Zinkphosphide
PannonEagle LIFE Project
10 November 2016 - 8
Status of illegal predator poisoning in Austria
Illegal poisoning in Austria What is Carbofuran?
•
Extremely toxic pesticide from the group of Carbamates
•
Formerly used in agriculture (“Furadan”)
•
Forbidden in EU since 2008, but still in use (illegally)
•
Antivenom = Atropin
PannonEagle LIFE Project
10 November 2016 - 9
WWF Austria’s fight against illegal predator poisoning
The campaign “Vorsicht Gift!” •
In 1999/2000 WWF Austria started the campaign „Vorsicht Gift!“
•
Overall goal: To eliminate illegal poisoning as a mortality factor for birds of prey (and for wildlife in general)
•
Our methods: 1. Documentation of incidences 2. Reporting system
3. Coordination of the network 4. Media-work and awareness raising
PannonEagle LIFE Project
10 November 2016 - 10
WWF Austria’s fight against illegal predator poisoning
The campaign “Vorsicht Gift!” 1. Documentation:
Database -
for long term documentation of poisoning
-
to facilitate trend observations
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10 November 2016 - 11
WWF Austria’s fight against illegal predator poisoning
The campaign “Vorsicht Gift!”
2. Reporting system: Operating a hotline: •
reporting point for suspected
poisoning cases •
providing quick advice and assistance (securing evidence, organizing toxicological
analyses)
PannonEagle LIFE Project
10 November 2016 - 12
WWF Austria’s fight against illegal predator poisoning
The campaign “Vorsicht Gift!” 3. Coordination of
the network
PannonEagle LIFE Project
10 November 2016 - 13
WWF Austria’s fight against illegal predator poisoning
The campaign “Vorsicht Gift!” Cooperation with Federal Hunting Associations (LJV):
•
Reporting of every discovery
•
Joint inspection of the site of crime
•
LJV bears expenses for most analysis
Benefit: more information, less conflicts
PannonEagle LIFE Project
10 November 2016 - 14
WWF Austria’s fight against illegal predator poisoning
The campaign “Vorsicht Gift!” Cooperation with the Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology (FIWI):
•
Chemical & toxicologic analysis
•
Radiological examination
•
Autopsy
•
etc. Every case gets analysed!
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10 November 2016 - 15
WWF Austria’s fight against illegal predator poisoning
The campaign “Vorsicht Gift!” Toxicological analysis proves poisoning
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10 November 2016 - 16
WWF Austria’s fight against illegal predator poisoning
Illegal raptor killing in Austria 4. Media work and awareness raising: •
Creating awareness for illegal use of poisons among broad public
•
Informing and educating special target groups (hunters, veterinarians, national park
rangers, etc.) •
Mobilising all relevant sectors of the society against wildlife poisoning
PannonEagle LIFE Project
10 November 2016 - 17
Thank you for your attention! PannonEagle LIFE Project
10 November 2016 - 18
PannonEagle LIFE Project
10 November 2016 - 19