26.10.2021.

MME Birdlife Hungary expects zero tolerance and more efficient crime prevention against offenders committing bird crime.

In the last one and half year illegal persecution of birds reached a significant level: MME Birdlife Hungary registered 18 cases with 224 bird casualties (from which 165 raptors) in relation with intentional or negligent crimes. From 2005 till now the mortality list reached 1600 protected animals, from which 1042 were raptors. The nature conservation value exceeds 238 000 euros. Apart from protected animals 24 dogs and 20 cats were also a victim of raptor poisoning crimes and most probably this is only the tip of the iceberg.
These numbers are outstanding in international level also, especially the recent cases which are hard to compare any other cases with. The record-breaking poisoning cases that were explored by MME’s Poison- and Carcass Detection Dog unit in cooperation with the NP Ranger service was not the only crime happening this year: shooting of imperial eagle, white-tailed eagle and a GPS tagged cinereous vulture were also recorded and these numbers increased with intentional and accidental trapping as well.

Poisonous baits found between 2005-2021 during field investigations (red - Poison- and Carcass Detection dog unit assisted findings, yellow - human findings)

The most frequent cases are still intentional predator poisoning

MME Birdlife Hungary has had a scope on fighting against poisoning since 2005. According to the field findings and laboratory results it is possible to sort cases in categories. Treated baits and certain pesticides for instance suggest intentional predator poisoning, whereas inappropriate agriculture practices could be identified by rodenticides and lead concentration is more likely to be an accidental poisoning. According to these statistics the number one is still intentional predator poisoning (see chart) which is usually committed by two main offender groups: hunters (in order to “protect” smaller game) and livestock keepers (in order to “protect” farm animals). In 2015-2016 four out of five crime sentences were against professional hunters suggesting that the former is more common. Unfortunately in Hungary there haven't been any other sentences or accusations ever since.

The most frequent cases are still intentional predator poisoning

MME Birdlife Hungary has had a scope on fighting against poisoning since 2005. According to the field findings and laboratory results it is possible to sort cases in categories. Treated baits and certain pesticides for instance suggest intentional predator poisoning, whereas inappropriate agriculture practices could be identified by rodenticides and lead concentration is more likely to be an accidental poisoning. According to these statistics the number one is still intentional predator poisoning (see chart) which is usually committed by two main offender groups: hunters (in order to “protect” smaller game) and livestock keepers (in order to “protect” farm animals). In 2015-2016 four out of five crime sentences were against professional hunters suggesting that the former is more common. Unfortunately in Hungary there haven't been any other sentences or accusations ever since.

Raptor poisoning individuals between 2005-2021 (red - predator poisoning, orange - farming poisoning, yellow - accidental poisoning, grey - unknown)

The hunting community to get rid of notorious members by itself

MME Birdlife Hungary truly believes that the vast majority of hunters are fair and lawful people and outnumber those few infamous members. It is also clear that many conservation targets cannot be reached without responsible game management in the long term either. It is just simply unacceptable though, for any associations being “tolerant” for insider-poachers who intentionally kill protected species or are negligent with certain practices. Apart from loss of protected species, poisoning is a fundamental disgrace against responsible game management too. As a non-selective predator reducing method it had been used for decades openly till the 1970s. This old “custom” is probably one of the reasons why this terrible practice still hasn’t vanished and provides an unjust bad reputation for the whole hunting community. 
 

Solutions that need resources 

MME Birdlife Hungary calls on the authorities and hunting organizations to exercise special attention and professional diligence in detecting and preventing poisonings and other crimes that cause significant damage to nature no matter if it is game or protected species.
Recent discovery of the poisoning case near Tura, North-Hungary, resulted in a huge indignation by society as well as professionals, many solutions were suggested.
MME Birdlife Hungary selected the following points that could potentially be adapted. Of course our organisation is pleased to cooperate on these topics.

• Increased human capacity
  • Increase staff capacity and case-specific knowledge of policemen and forensic experts; expand the the investigation in different crime categories (destruction of protected anmal, poaching, animal cruelty, illegal possesion) 
  • Increase capacity of ranger service and hunting authority on bird-crime-specific inspections.
•  Food-chain safety:
  • If game species affected in poisoning, local game meat trade should be suspended temporary; toxicology test on game meat must carried out; setting up special game zones 
• Objective liability
  • In case of intentional predator poisoning, local hunting association should be sanctioned with temporary suspension of sport hunting and withdrawal of hunting chamber membership
  • Investigation whether landowners fulfilled their responsibilities in relation with EU’s agricultural funds (Through cross-compliance, farmers are encouraged to preserve natural values and healthy environment)

MME Birdlife Hungary strongly suggests the responsible authorities to consider these suggestions and take further steps to reduce wildlife crimes on birds of prey.

Background information on the cases in the recent year

Predator poisoning:

Before the record-breaking poisoning case in Tura, two other major poisoning cases were investigated by MME’s Poison- and Carcass Detection Dog unit, where poisonous baits and dead birds were recovered.

•  Kisbér and Bakonyszombathely, hunting area of Bagolyvár-hegy Hunting Association (2021. March): 29 common buzzards, 8 ravens,1 white-tailed eagle, 6 baits and 17 other animal carcasses were found. Laboratory tests justified the presence of carbamate pesticide.Local police terminated the investigation!
• Tápiószecső, operation area of Tápiószecsői Megoldás Hunting Association (2021. April):  5 marsh harriers, 4 common buzzards, 12 ravens, 28 baits and 23 other animal carcasses Laboratory tests justified carbamate pesticide.A laboratórium igazolta a karbamát típusú méreganyag jelenlétét. Police investigation is in progress for nature destruction, animal cruelty, poaching, illegal possession of poison.
• Tura and Galgahévíz, hunting area of Szent András Dombi Hunting Association (2021. August): 77 marsh harriers, 7 common buzzards,  3 ravens, 3 tree pipits, 2 strictly protected black kite and 1 Montagu’s harrier, 1 white tailed eagle, 141 baits and 24 additional animal carcasses were found. The field searches resulted a huge number of perished birds and baits. The laboratory results also showed record carbamate concentration in the baits. Police investigation is in progress for nature destruction, animal cruelty, poaching, illegal possession of poison.
   

Common buzzards found by Carlo, earthed by the offenders

Illegal shooting:

This year there have been three illegal shooting cases also

• Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county (2021 April): a GPS-tagged cinereous vulture was shot. Police investigation is in progress for nature destruction, animal cruelty and poaching.
• Székkutas (2021. May): a juvenile imperial eagle was found with 9 lead pellets in its wings where the local hunters carried out game deterring. The police terminated the investigation!
• Öcsöd (2021. August):  Körös-Maros National Park Directorate rangers found an adult white-tailed eagle that was transported to the Eagle Center, Jászberény. The x-ray image showed two lead pellets (see image). Police investigation is in progress for nature destruction, animal cruelty and poaching.

X-ray of a white-tailed eagle with two pellets.(Source: Vet-e-medic Kft.).

Inappropriate trapping: 

Hunting traps that are operated according to the regulations considered safe for protected species. Intentional destruction or inappropriate use could still result in casualties of protected bird species .

• Békés county (2020. December): a professional hunter is accused of killing common buzzards, that were caught by live traps. Police investigation is in progress for nature destruction, animal cruelty and poaching.
• Székkutas (2020. december):neglected out-of-use crow-trap made four barn owls starve to death and a fifth individual was saved just in time by MME’s dog-unit. Police investigation was terminated given that the conservation value did not reach the limit for negligent destruction of natural value. Investigation was not extended for poaching-animal cruelty despite the appeal made by MME.

Neglected crow-trap in which four strictly protected barn owls died, fifth was still alive.