Grim findings in raptor report

More raptor deaths were logged during 2015 than in any year so far, writes Richard Collins

THE National Parks and Wildlife Service has released its annual report on threats to birds of prey. It’s the fifth one since the format was standardised in 2011. More raptor deaths were logged during 2015 than in any year so far. Thirty-five poisoning and persecution incidents came to light and nine birds of prey were shot, the highest number ever.

‘Anecdotal’ reports were not included in the data, although ‘suspected and unconfirmed incidents’ are ‘informative and important ... in providing data on threats to our raptors’, the authors note. ‘The number recorded is likely to be only a fraction of incidents that occurred in total.’ For example, several cases came to light only because the victims had been fitted with radio-tracking devices.