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It became clear during the last conference about illegal raptor poisonings in the Carpathian Basin that albeit this phenomenon exists in all neighbouring countries, the situation in Hungary is most severe. Only in the first quarter year of 2013, more than 50 protected birds of prey were poisoned in 21 incidents.
The 8th Hungarian Conservation-Biology Meeting was organized by the Hungarian Biological Society, MME (Birdlife Hungary), Bükk National Park Directorate and the European section of Society for Conservation Biology. The event was held on the 22nd of February and was followed by the annual meeting of the Raptor Committee of BirdLife Hungary. More than one hundred professionals from Hungary and other countries (Slovakia, Austria, Czech Republic, Serbia, Romania and Scotland) had attended to the 2 days long event. Keynote speaker was Ian Thomson RSPB Scotland's Head of Investigations.
The aims of the conference were to improve the effectiveness of actions against persecution incidents on birds and facilitate exchange of ideas between professionals from various countries. The participants discussed the Anti-poisoning Action Plan which is expected to provide a more efficient way in fighting crime against birds.
Key lecturer Ian Thomson (Photo: Lilla Barabás).
According to the reports from the last decade 40 eagles were killed in Austria, 24 in Czech, 22 in Slovakia, 18 in Serbia and 2 in Romania. Hungarian numbers were even more shocking. More than 176 eagles died from poisoning, shooting or intentional damaging of the nests since 2000. Only in the three consecutive days after the conference 3 more incidents were reported.
Dead white-tailed eagle (Phot: Márton Horváth).
A poisoned and shot imperial eagle was found by hunters on the 24th February. Due to the quick veterinary intervention the bird survived, and was transferred to the clinic of the Budapest ZOO for rehabilitation. According to the plan the eagle will be equipped with a GPS transmitter before the release, to be able to track its movement.
A nest of an imperial eagle pair was destroyed on the 25th February while carcasses of 3 buzzards, 2 imperial eagles and a fox were found on the 26th. Ian Thomson RSPB Scotland's Head of Investigations who joined the team investigating the scene commented: „The scale of killing birds of prey in Hungary is saddening.” „In Scotland we had put a great effort in driving back crimes like this, but in Hungary and the neighbouring countries even more is needed. RSPB is dedicated to help Hungarian colleagues with its experience if needed.“
The Helicon LIFE+ program coordinated by MME (BirdLife Hungary) aims to protect the imperial eagle. It started in 2012 with the participation of the directorates of the Hortobágyi, Bükki, Körös-Maros National Parks, the Budapest and the Jászberényi Zoo & Botanical Garden, the National Investigation Office, the Hungarian National Chamber of Hunters and the Természetfilm.hu.