SmartBirds
On 2 September, protests will be held in Sofia and Plovdiv calling for the effective enforcement of wildlife protection laws, tougher penalties for the killing of protected species, and the criminalisation of the use of poisoned baits in the wild. The protests are organised by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) in response to yet another serious poisoning incident, in which eight vultures were killed in Central Balkan National Park – five cinereous vultures, two griffon vultures and the only bearded vulture living in the wild in Bulgaria. The protests will take place from 6 to 8 pm in front of the Palace of Justice in Sofia and the District Court in Plovdiv.
More than 100 cases of poisoned and shot vultures have been recorded in Bulgaria since 2018. The victims of poisoning, however, are far more numerous. They include eastern imperial eagles, golden eagles and white-tailed eagles, common buzzards and ravens, as well as wolves, foxes and jackals. Poisoned baits threaten more than just wild animals. Dogs are also among the victims, including livestock guardian dogs that are used to protect herds from predators. Poison placed in the wild also poses a risk to people.
In many cases, poison is used because of conflicts between people and predators. Its use, however, does not resolve these conflicts. Instead, it leads to the uncontrolled killing of animals, including protected species, and can cause serious damage to entire ecosystems. The case in Central Balkan National Park shows that a single poisoned bait can kill individuals of several species and cause an irreparable loss to Bulgaria’s natural heritage.
