Rat poison may be killing raptors

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Rat poison appears to have gotten into the food chain in parts of Scotland and is killing birds of prey and other unintended targets, scientists said Wednesday.

Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture said it found traces of rat poison in the livers of 32 buzzards, 17 red kites and 10 sparrowhawks last year, The Guardian reported. The organization said buzzards and kites are especially vulnerable because they are scavengers and likely to eat dead rats.

Rat poisons have been blamed for the deaths of six red kite chicks and for killing two dogs and a cat.

Alex Hogg, head of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, said the poisonings are almost certainly caused by ignorance and carelessness, not by deliberate use against wild birds. He said deliberate killing of raptors, usually done by shooting, has dropped recently.

Hogg and Bob Carruth of the Farmers Union of Scotland said they are trying to educate their members about the safe use of rodenticides. At least one of the poisons found in testing is licensed for use indoors only.