In order to combat the poisoning of wild animals, Biom Association, as part of the European project BalkanDetox LIFE, launched a campaign to raise awareness among the general public about this problem, which is most pronounced in this period of the year. Although animal poisoning is illegal and punishable by law, this harmful practice is still widespread throughout Croatia and represents a real threat to wild species, the environment and public health. Frequent and repeated cases of poisoning throughout the Balkan Peninsula have resulted in 465 confirmed deaths of vultures in the last 20 years. A study by the international organisation for the preservation of vultures, the Vulture Conservation Foundation, estimates that at least 115 vultures die annually from poisoning in the Balkan Peninsula. However, only about 20% of such cases are discovered and documented.

The use of illegal poisons is unfortunately not an exception, but a common practice. In good faith to protect their livestock, many people poison wild animals, without thinking about the harm they cause to biodiversity. The extinction of native species and disturbed natural balance are just some of them. If you notice that someone is poisoning wild animals or spot poison in nature, report the case as soon as possible by calling 112.

Let’s stop this horror movie!

The first association with Imotski, Mazin and Kvarner islands is certainly the beautiful landscapes. However, even those parts of Croatia have their dark side, in which the hunting dog, the golden eagle and the griffon vulture take on the role of victims, while the perpetrators most often remain — unknown. These are just three of the many places across the Balkan peninsula where more than 2,300 carrion birds have died as a result of illegal poisoning in the last 20 years. This problem is most prevalent in the current winter months. Although the perpetrators of this punishable practice use poison to solve the problem of wolf, jackal or fox attacks on domestic animals, other wild species such as common buzzards, griffon vultures and bald eagles often die from poisoning. In addition to the fact that individuals of protected species die in this way, it also leads to negative consequences for our environment. Biom Association, which implements the European BalkanDetox LIFE project in Croatia with the aim of raising people’s awareness of the negative effects of animal poisoning on the environment and ecosystem, makes sure that these stories are not swept under the carpet.

Let’s stop this horror movie!

The first association with Imotski, Mazin and Kvarner islands is certainly the beautiful landscapes. However, even those parts of Croatia have their dark side, in which the hunting dog, the golden eagle and the griffon vulture take on the role of victims, while the perpetrators most often remain — unknown. These are just three of the many places across the Balkan peninsula where more than 2,300 carrion birds have died as a result of illegal poisoning in the last 20 years. This problem is most prevalent in the current winter months. Although the perpetrators of this punishable practice use poison to solve the problem of wolf, jackal or fox attacks on domestic animals, other wild species such as common buzzards, griffon vultures and bald eagles often die from poisoning. In addition to the fact that individuals of protected species die in this way, it also leads to negative consequences for our environment. Biom Association, which implements the European BalkanDetox LIFE project in Croatia with the aim of raising people’s awareness of the negative effects of animal poisoning on the environment and ecosystem, makes sure that these stories are not swept under the carpet.

The horror of Mazin poisoning

As a reminder, in February 2020, the Biom Association visited the Mazin area, where they recorded the poisoning of a fox and a wolf. Searching the wider area, they encountered a gruesome sight — a poisoned golden eagle. It is a species that is critically endangered in Croatia. Such an epilogue is the result of indiscriminate poisoning. In good faith, to protect his cattle from predators, someone put poison on the meat of a dead cow and thus made a mistake that led to a collateral victim. Namely, this rare bird, whose numbers dropped to only 25-30 pairs in Croatia, was the first to feed on that meat. They have one chick per year, which becomes sexually mature only after 5-7 years. The population of this bird takes 100-150 years to recover from the death of just one individual.

Horror in the Imotski hunting ground

A dog is man’s best friend. However, this statement does not apply to dogs that happen to find themselves in Imotski hunting grounds. As many as ten excellent hunting dogs were poisoned in the municipality of Lokvičići, frightening the hunters who take care of their faithful helpers. Poison baits were placed during the night hours. Some dogs were saved by quick veterinary intervention, but there were also those who died, with foam in their mouths and a terrible corpse smile, which is a sign of poisoning. It is the work of an unknown perpetrator who remains undetected and, accordingly, unpunished to this day. Not only do cases of poisoning in Imotski area repeat year after year, but they are continuously present throughout Dalmatia, Dalmatian Zagora and Lika. The poison does not choose its victim, so we can rightly ask when it will be fatal for humans as well.

Kvarner carbofuran crime

Carbofuran. It sounds dangerous. Because it is. It is the most commonly used poisoning substance in Croatia, which is responsible for 76% of known cases of poisoning in our country, including the large poisoning on Rab in 2004, when as many as 17 griffon vultures died. This case of mass poisoning is an example of how only one poisoned bait can destroy a large part of a vulture population. The mentioned event significantly increased the gruesome statistics which show that between 300 and 500 individuals of griffon vultures have been poisoned in Croatia in the last 50 years. Poisoning is the main reason for the extinction of the Egyptian vulture and the Cinereous vulture – two species of carrion birds that once lived side by side with the now endangered Griffon vultures.

We can all help animals!

Great efforts invested in the preservation of endangered species and the improvement of their populations can be undone by just one case of poisoning. In order for this work to preserve wild species and their habitats to bring a successful result, it is necessary to prevent further poisonings as soon as possible. Biom association implements the BalkanDetox LIFE project with this aim in mind, and is present in the field, where it reports cases of poisoning to the police. Through cooperation with institutions, it also works to strengthen national capacities for the fight against poisoning by advocating better policies and practices. Through numerous educations and work with volunteers, farmers, herdsmen and hunters, we also actively work to raise public awareness of the problem of poisoning.

Civic courage is the most important link in nature protection. If you witness a poisoning incident or spot a poisonous bait in nature, report the case to 112 as soon as possible!

Translated by Tihana Goričnik