The meeting was organized by the European Commission and NEEMO, aiming to gather the LIFE projects with activities or experience related to combating the illegal use of poison.
The Platform Meeting took part between May 19-20th 2016 in Athens, Greece, hosted by WWF Greece and the Hellenic Ornithological Society (HOS). The event gathered representatives of 23 completed or on-going LIFE projects from eight countries funded through the LIFE mechanism, to present their activities, experience, success and failures in combating poison.
Unfortunately poison is a major problem not only in Bulgaria, but throughout Europe. The situation in neighboring Greece is raising particular concern, as 39 poisoning events were reported in 2015 alone (data provided by HOS). In 2012 the entire breeding colony of 12 pairs of Griffon Vultures along the valley of Nestos was wiped out in this barbarian way, while poison affects other critically endangered species, such as Egyptian Vulture, Black Vulture, etc. as well. At the second day of the event, the group visited the Parnitha National Park and witnessed the demonstration of Kuki, the dog, specially trained to locate poisonous baits, which works in the area of Meteora. The participants agreed that there is need of coordinated actions and active involvement of local and state institutions, prosecution, hunters and livestock owners to combat the use of poison and prevent more innocent victims. The use of canine units, anti-poison sampling kits and information awareness campaigns were listed as successful strategies.
Green Balkans and FWFF presented the actions of the successfully completed Vultures Return LIFE08 NAT/BG/278 and the on-going LIFE for Kresna Gorge LIFE11 NAT/BG/363 and Vultures back to LIFE14 NAT/BG/649 Projects. The meeting was also attended by our partners from the Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF).
Within the newly started Vultures Back to LIFE14 NAT/BG/649 Project, together with VCF we have already drafted a sampling protocol to sample potentially poisoned animals. The samples will be sent to a laboratory in Spain. In addition to vultures, we are going to sample similar and indicator species, such as Eagles and Ravens. We are going to study the problem of lead poisoning for the first time. Lead is highly toxic for birds of prey, ingested as pellets, shot at prey left on the field. It is considered a significant threat on a global scale but it has been never studied in Bulgaria.
We hope to join efforts in eradicating this vicious practice and we are counting on your help and assistance in signaling for the use of illegal baits or found potential victims of poisoning!
