The number of poisoned wild animals in the Czech Republic has risen sharply this year, with conservationists warning of one of the worst waves of illegal killings in recent memory. According to the Czech Society for Ornithology, 55 poisoned birds have been found since January, already surpassing last year's total. Over a dozen more were shot, trapped, or had their nests deliberately destroyed.
Among the victims are many birds of prey, including some of the country's rarest and most protected species, such as white-tailed eagles, red kites, and the critically endangered eastern imperial eagle. Sixteen mammals including wolves, otters, and martens have also fallen prey to poison.
The most common substance used is carbofuran, a highly toxic pesticide banned in the European Union since 2008. Even its possession is a criminal offense. Despite this, it continues to claim victims. In March, carbofuran poisoning was confirmed in a white-tailed eagle and a red kite near Brtnice in the Jihlava region. In the Nymburk district, two more red kites and a buzzard were poisoned; the buzzard survived thanks to quick intervention and was released back into the wild.
April and May brought further casualties. In the Břeclav region, poison killed two white-tailed eagles, two buzzards, and a red kite. In Třebíč, a buzzard and later a hooded crow were found poisoned. Ornithologists also reported cases in Jeseník, Strakonice, and Tábor, where victims included ravens, kites, and a grey heron.
The most devastating incident occurred in May in the Chrudim region, where an entire family of white-tailed eagles was poisoned: the only known breeding pair in the Železné hory Protected Landscape Area and their chick.
Birds have also been maimed or killed in traps, and police are investigating suspected nest destruction of white-tailed eagles in the Žďár and Příbram regions. Milan Oppa, a caretaker of rescued birds of prey in Pardubice, is now looking after a family of three young kestrels, which were lucky enough to survive human cruelty.
"Their nesting site was deliberately destroyed when the chicks were almost ready to fledge. It would have been enough to wait just a week -- the young would have been independent and flying. But the perpetrators got rid of them by throwing the nest with its three chicks into a dumpster. There have been more of these cases recorded, across the whole region" he says.
Illegal shootings also add to the toll. In February, an autopsy revealed pellets in the body of an eastern imperial eagle found dead in the Znojmo region.
The police classify such cases as crimes of animal cruelty, poaching, and unlawful handling of protected wildlife. Perpetrators may face several years in prison. Three men have been sentenced in recent years for poisoning wildlife; one received a 2.5 year jail sentence, the others suspended prison terms and fines. However many escape punishment.
Conservationists warn that unless enforcement improves, the illegal use of poison will continue to decimate some of the country's most vulnerable species.