An unacceptable, disturbing wildlife poisoning incident happened in December 2019. The news emerging over the last few days of the mass poisoning of 23 buzzards, a protected bird species, near Timoleague, West Cork has shocked many of us.

The incident around Timoleague has been linked to the banned root crop pesticide Carbofuran. It is believed to be one of the single largest poisonings targeting birds of prey in Ireland.

The pesticide, banned since 2009, is extremely toxic, not just to wild birds, but to people too.

In mid-May 2020, politicians, including the acting lead biodiversity Minister Josepha Madigan and local TD Christopher O’Sullivan amongst others, have all condemned the poisoner and called for more investigations.

Wildlife groups like BirdWatch Ireland and Cork Nature Network are calling for the setting up of a Wildlife Crime Unit.

Any information on this incident should be passed to An Garda Síochána or NPWS.

Cork Nature Network are asking for people to write to the minister to ask for such a Crime Unit. We need to protect our wildlife.

Get more details about that incident on the BirdWatch Ireland website

Read the article on The Journal.