Police have confirmed that a white-tailed sea eagle that was released on the Isle of Wight, but found dead in Dorset back in January, had rat poison in its system.
Dorset Police has been investigating the discovery of the dead bird of prey – G461 – and has concluded that whilst there were high levels of the poison brodifacoum found, it’s not possible to say whether it was as a result of a deliberate and therefore criminal act.
No further action is to be taken and the case has been closed.
G461 – a male – was released on the Island in 2020 and explored widely along the South Coast before heading to West Norfolk. He returned to the South before favouring the Poole Harbour area. Sadly, he was found deceased in North Dorset on 27th January this year.
Another 1 of the 25 white-tailed eagles released from Bouldnor was found deceased here on the Island, with recent confirmation it had contracted bird flu.
A spokesperson for Dorset Police has said:
“A detailed examination and tests have been carried out on the bird, which were inconclusive, and it has therefore not been possible to confirm that any criminal offence has been committed.
“While high levels of brodifacoum were detected, it has not been possible to establish whether this was as a result of a deliberate act or due to secondary rodenticide poisoning.
Article continues below this advertisement “As a result, no further police action will be taken in relation to this report.”
Katie Jo Luxton, RSPB conservation director, has responded to Dorset Police’s decision by saying:
“We are completely baffled by the decision taken by Dorset Police to end the white-tailed eagle investigation so prematurely.
“Brodifacoum – the rodent poison that killed the eagle – is highly toxic and it is clear that it was being used either incompetently or with intent to kill raptors. Either way, this is an illegal act.
“A thorough land search had been planned on the estate in question, to look for evidence such as poison baits or misuse, but that was recently and unexpectedly called off.
“The investigation has not been closed by the Health and Safety Executive but that has now been made defunct by the police communication.
“We seek assurance from Dorset Police that their wildlife crime remit is still operational and that other significant ongoing raptor persecution investigations are fully investigated ‘without fear or favour’ as per Police Oath.”
Sandra Knowles, Managing Director of Hillbans Pest Control, has commented on the use of poison:
“It is important that extreme care is considered when using any bait to eradicate pests such as rats and mice. This case shows the danger of secondary poisoning, often the result of people doing it themselves using over the counter and online bought bait.
“Using a professional pest control company ensures this can be avoided, as they adhere to strict industry guidelines, use non-toxic bait that eliminates the danger of secondary poisoning and risk to wildlife such as the White-Tailed Eagle and our own Red Squirrel population on the island.”
Farmers throw that stuff around like candy. No surprise this happened.
Used incompently – it’s a common mouse/rat poison when the rodent eventually dies it could be anywhere, user’s wouldn’t know. This is used in bait boxes under floors etc and not in the open. If any animal eats the dead rodent the person or Council etc can’t be responsible and not classed as criminal act
Let’s not forget it wasn’t that long ago some nutter was putting this down with sausages etc in the forest to kill dogs. Who’s to say it didn’t get something from there, especially if it was hungry. And that crazy person wasn’t caught in the end.
If rodenticide has been put down responsibly, it can still cause the rodent to die within sight of a bird of prey – that is neither incompetent nor deliberate.
If the police can’t investigate cases of DELIBERATE poisoning of dogs in Parkhurst, then I’m afraid there’s no chance of finding out about an accidental incident
Poison blocks could have been flushed out of a sewer directly into a river or the sea during a storm surge