47 Animals Dead from Poisoned Baits in Evros

THESSALONIKI, Greece — The widespread use of poisoned baits is back in the spotlight, according to the Society for the Protection of Biodiversity of Thrace (EPVTH), which operates primarily in the mountainous and semi-mountainous regions of Evros and Rhodope.

On the occasion of the recent—end of last month—killing of 47 wild animals in Evros by poisoned baits, and given that the animals were located just a few kilometers from the Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli National Park and the Special Protection Zone of the Natura 2000 network, EPVTH emphasizes the danger that also lurks for the protected species of the area.

According to the announcement related to the mass killing of the animals, the poisoned animals were located "after an unprecedented mobilization"—in an area of approximately five kilometers—by three Special Poisoned Bait Detection Units, one of the EPBTH and OFYPEKA, with the assistance of the Alexandroupoli Forestry, the Management Unit of the Evros Delta and Dadia National Parks, and the vice-mayor of Feron. Most of the animals found were in advanced rot, an indication that they had remained in the area for a long time and continued to be a source of poisoning for subsequent animals.

"This specific incident occurred in close proximity to the incident of the killing of two golden eagles, a harrier, and a jackal a few days before Christmas, which leads us to the conclusion that the illegal use of baits in this area probably coincided. Of the above incidents, one was detected due to a transmitter carried by a golden eagle, while the other was not detected and developed into mass poisoning," EPBTH explains.

The incident of mass poisoning is being investigated by the responsible forest office of Alexandroupolis, which is conducting the criminal preliminary investigation in cooperation with the competent Directorate of Agricultural Economy and Veterinary Medicine of Evros, which has sent samples for toxicological analyses, in accordance with the procedures prescribed by law.

Source: RES-MPE