Latest news with #RaptorResearchFoundation
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New report exposes major problem with UK government's restrictions: 'Should be ringing alarm bells'
In recent years, the United Kingdom has relaxed restrictions on rat poisons (rodenticides) available for purchase. But rodenticides don't just affect rats; they also kill or endanger birds of prey. A recent report from Wild Justice shows that the new laws governing rodenticide use have had a notable negative effect on raptors in the region, Raptor Persecution UK reported. Raptor Persecution UK is a conservation blog written by Ruth Tingay, a former president of the international Raptor Research Foundation with over 30 years of experience in raptor research and conservation. Tingay explained that rats typically live for a few days after exposure to rodenticides, long enough for birds of prey to catch and eat them. The birds are then also exposed to the poison, often fatally. According to the report Tingay cited, the frequency of raptors exposed and the levels of rodenticide found have both increased since the laws changed in 2015. Before that, the rodenticides in question were only allowed to be used indoors, and they were marketed to pest control professionals. But thanks to revisions to the law in 2015, the substances have been approved for use in and around buildings, and they have been offered to farmers and groundskeepers. "Using data obtained through Freedom of Information Requests, Wild Justice's 'Collateral Damage' report presents the results of Government laboratory tests for 366 Buzzards and 173 Red Kites that had been submitted to the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS) in England during the period 2005 to 2022," Tingay explained. "The report shows that in recent years nearly all these raptors had tested positive for rat poison, often in high amounts." Specifically, buzzards turned up with rodenticides in their systems less than 50% of the time prior to the change. Between 2020 and 2022, 90% of buzzards carried the poison. In the past, less than 2% contained a high dose, defined as 0.3mg/kg of poison. Now, over 25% contain that dose. For red kites, the number of poisoned birds jumped from 90% to 100%, and those carrying high doses went from 15% to 66%. Should the government be able to control how we heat our homes? Definitely Only if it saves money I'm not sure No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Predators such as raptors play a key role in the environment, controlling populations of rodents and other small animals. Like removing the wolves from Yellowstone, a decline in raptor populations could have devastating effects. Also, the more widespread use of rodenticides means more chances for human exposure, both environmentally and through the food chain. These chemicals are dangerous, which is why they're regulated to begin with. A spokesperson for Wild Justice said that the presence of these poisons in birds of prey "should be ringing alarm bells." Tingay and Wild Justice are doing what they can to increase awareness of the issue, hopefully leading to updates in the law. You can help prevent similar situations by voting for pro-climate candidates who will regulate environmentally damaging substances. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists make disturbing new discovery after analyzing blood of vultures: 'The tip of the iceberg'
Despite California's statewide bans on toxic mouse and rat poison use, traces of these poisons are still being found in non-target wildlife species — specifically, turkey vultures — in the Southern California area, the Raptor Research Foundation reported via A recent study published in the Journal of Raptor Research late last year found that of 27 turkey vultures spanning a large area of Southern California, at least three were found to be exposed to anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs). According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, first-generation ARs were developed to help control pests and rodents before 1970, including rodenticides such as chlorophacinone, diphacinone, and warfarin. Second-generation ARs (SGARs), which came after in the 1970s, were much more potent, requiring only one-day feeding instead of multiple, to be effective. As SGARs are more potent, they are more toxic and remain in animal tissue longer. In 2019, California passed legislation banning SGARs — made effective in 2020. The above study analyzed blood samples of turkey vultures in Southern California before and after the legislation ban — 11 turkey vultures before and 16 after. "Our study suggests that the exposure risk of turkey vultures to ARs persisted after the recent bans were implemented," the study authors wrote in the published journal. Anticoagulant rodenticides, or toxic rodent poison, threaten other wildlife animals, pets, and humans not meant to be targeted by the product. "Rat poison … has led to suffering and death for birds, hawks, foxes and so many other innocent wildlife," Lisa Owens Viani, director of Raptors Are The Solution, said in a Center for Biological Diversity press release. The toxins, which remain in animal tissue, travel up the food chain, disproportionately affecting predators at the top of the food web, as seen in turkey vultures and North American bobcats. While some of these wildlife animals are not at particular risk of being endangered, a few of California's raptor species are at-risk and protected: the Burrowing Owl and the California Condor. How often do you worry about toxic chemicals getting into your home? Always Often Sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Aside from poisoning wildlife, ARs can indirectly harm pets and humans as the poison is toxic to breathe in, the National Pesticide Information Center confirmed. "The presence of rodenticides in the blood of a few individuals is just the tip of the iceberg and demonstrates that these compounds are still out there," the study lead author, Dr. Miguel D. Saggese, said, per Harmful rodenticides must be limited, if not banned completely, to protect non-targeted wildlife species and others from toxic poisoning or death. There are safer alternatives you can use in your home to effectively control pests and rodents. Try snap traps, live traps, zap traps, or owl boxes to treat and prevent rodents in your home. By rejecting toxic rodenticides, you use your purchasing power for good. You divert profits and funds from the corporations that produce these harmful toxins that affect innocent wildlife species. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
