Fury continues to build for South West conservationists amid mass owl death directly linked to rat poison

Fury continues to build for South West conservationists amid mass owl death directly linked to rat poison. This week, researchers from Edith Cowan University and Owl Friendly Margaret River revealed a damming report of deceased owls collected from Perth and the South West. The research found 13 of the 13 of the owls tested from the South West had toxic to lethal levels of Second Generation rat poison (SGARs) within their systems, as did three of the owls tested from the Perth metro area. SGARs have been under increased scrutiny in recent years due to the high risk of secondary poisoning to native animals and pets. The poison was a main talking point of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority proposed changes to Australia’s anticoagulant rodenticide use released in December last year. While the APVMA’s review recognised SGARs posed a “significant risk” in the secondary poisoning of birds, the Federal body did not recommend limiting the sale of the poison, which can be bought off the shelf in stores across Australia. With the release of the review Owl Friendly Margaret River ornithologist Boyd Wikes labelled the APVMA’s decision as a “joke” and has said the new research make the “outrageous” situation clear. Lead researcher and associate professor in wildlife conservation at Edith Cowan University Rob Davis said all of the poisoned owls showed exposure to SGARs with some even showing signs of ingesting two types of bait. “If these levels were true for all of the South West population of masked owl, the sobering bottom line is that we would not have a population,” he said. “However, it’s probably an overestimate because most of the owls were hit by cars or were found debilitated or dead by members of the public. “While the sample of birds tested likely overrepresents birds with sub-lethal exposure, it probably underrepresents birds that got a lethal dose and died quietly in dense bushland where nobody is likely to find them.” Associate Professor Davis said he was not surprised by the finding of the research given masked owls have shifted from native prey to survive on the rats and mice associated with people. However, he said exposure has been found in a range of birds of prey, reptiles, frogs, fish and marsupials, including several endangered species. “We have evidence that the major pathway for poisons entering the food chain is wildlife eating dead and dying rodents as well as directly accessing outdoor bait stations,” Dr Wykes said. “It’s outrageous that these products are not being banned until the manufacturers prove how their products can be made safe for the environment.” The APVAM’s proposed reconsideration decisions is open to public consultation until March 16.