When you consider that dozens of such baits have been found on single estate searches viz XXXXXX and XXXXXXX and that the total of baits analysed by government laboratories [not just the incidents reported which often mask multiple baits found] over the last four decades …you will begin to see why many people on this blog and elsewhere get so angry at the mention of “a few rotten apples in the barrel”. There are numerous “sick individuals” doing this.
Could someone please explain exactly what is depicted here (for the benefit of those who would want to recognise a poisoned bait). What are the signs that poison is in use on this bait ?
Quite often a large bait will be cut open and the poison applied inside the body cavity. This is the poisoner’s way of increasing the probability that the poison will be eaten. If the bait wasn’t cut open there’s a good chance the target species would eat another part of the bait and not the bit where the poison is.
Sometimes you can see the actual poison (e.g. dark blue granules sprinkled over the carcass will probably be Carbofuran). However, some poisoners are more discreet and will mix their poison into a liquid solution and use a syringe to apply the poison to the bait. The chances of you seeing the poison are quite slim.
Sometimes the poisoned bait is staked in place to prevent an animal dragging it away and the poisoner being unable to locate his victim. If you find a dead animal that has been staked in place, approach with caution.
Not all poisoners use a large bait like a whole rabbit. Some have been known to cut up venison into small bite-sized cubes, apply the poison and place the bait on top of known raptor perching spots such as fenceposts. Others have been known to use chicken skins draped over the branch of a known roost tree.
The bottom line is, if you see anything that looks remotely suspicious or out of place, you should report it. Take photographs first, then cover the bait, if you can, so that no animal can get to it, and then inform the police immediately. You should also inform the RSPB, so if the police don’t investigate the RSPB can chase them up. DON’T TOUCH THE BAIT – IT COULD KILL YOU.
Raptor Persecution UK 
Only a very sick individual would leave something like this in our countryside. Anyone doing this is pure scum.
When you consider that dozens of such baits have been found on single estate searches viz XXXXXX and XXXXXXX and that the total of baits analysed by government laboratories [not just the incidents reported which often mask multiple baits found] over the last four decades …you will begin to see why many people on this blog and elsewhere get so angry at the mention of “a few rotten apples in the barrel”. There are numerous “sick individuals” doing this.
Could someone please explain exactly what is depicted here (for the benefit of those who would want to recognise a poisoned bait). What are the signs that poison is in use on this bait ?
The carcass being cut open and the mass of dead flies – having died from the poison.
Thanks for that.
Are baits normally cut open to apply the poison ?
Quite often a large bait will be cut open and the poison applied inside the body cavity. This is the poisoner’s way of increasing the probability that the poison will be eaten. If the bait wasn’t cut open there’s a good chance the target species would eat another part of the bait and not the bit where the poison is.
Sometimes you can see the actual poison (e.g. dark blue granules sprinkled over the carcass will probably be Carbofuran). However, some poisoners are more discreet and will mix their poison into a liquid solution and use a syringe to apply the poison to the bait. The chances of you seeing the poison are quite slim.
Sometimes the poisoned bait is staked in place to prevent an animal dragging it away and the poisoner being unable to locate his victim. If you find a dead animal that has been staked in place, approach with caution.
Not all poisoners use a large bait like a whole rabbit. Some have been known to cut up venison into small bite-sized cubes, apply the poison and place the bait on top of known raptor perching spots such as fenceposts. Others have been known to use chicken skins draped over the branch of a known roost tree.
The bottom line is, if you see anything that looks remotely suspicious or out of place, you should report it. Take photographs first, then cover the bait, if you can, so that no animal can get to it, and then inform the police immediately. You should also inform the RSPB, so if the police don’t investigate the RSPB can chase them up. DON’T TOUCH THE BAIT – IT COULD KILL YOU.
In fact read…
http://www.whittlespublishing.com/Wildlife_Crime
http://www.nhbs.com/title.php?bkfno=191681&ad_id=562
http://www.guardianbookshop.co.uk/BerteShopWeb/viewProduct.do?ISBN=9781849950367
http://www.booksfromscotland.com/Books/Wildlife-Crime-9781849950367
For the full how, why, where and when of illegal poisoning on scottish shooting estates…