Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Analysis of a single sample costs 900 Czech koruny (CZK, equivalent to approximately 50 USD)
and the results are reported in milligram of carbofuran (or other compound), per kilogram of sample.
Analysis is paid by private donations, for example citizens who fi nd poisoned wildlife and wish to
know the cause of death, by NGOs or by AOPK CR since no special State funding is available.
Since 2005, 14 Eurasian otter (
Lutra lutra
) poisonings with carbofuran have come to light, from
six separate cases (Poledníková et al. 2010). The fact that these cases were located in quite different
parts of the Czech Republic suggests that poisoning of this species with carbofuran is a widespread
rather than regional practice. Although otters are present at fi shponds year-round, the poisonings
occurred in either winter or spring, when otter food sources are limited. Since the otter does not
commonly scavenge dead prey, and where only dead fi sh is used as bait, we expect that the effect
of these recent poisonings on the otter population is relatively low compared with other sources of
mortality. However, as tends to be the case in such incidents, we also suspect that the actual number
of otters being poisoned is much higher than we have reported. The recent population size of otters is
estimated to be about 2 300 adult animals and the range of the species within the country is increas-
ing (Poledník et al. 2007). Current models of population trend development suggest that otters can
cope with only limited increase in their mortality rate and an annual rise of 100 dead animals per year
(i.e., less then 5% of the adult population) would greatly heighten the risk of population extinction
(Poledníková et al. 2010, unpublished data).
Another piscivorous species poisoned by carbofuran in the Czech Republic is the white tailed
eagle (
Haliaeetus albicilla
). This is the largest eagle species in the country, frequently occurring in
the vicinity of large water bodies and feeding mainly on fi sh and waterfowl, and often on scaveng-
ing carrion. The species was extirpated from the State territory of the Czech Republic in the middle
of the nineteenth century and the fi rst recent breeding of the species in the country was recorded in
1986. Since that time, the population is slowly increasing. In 2000, approximately 25 breeding pairs
were recorded, increasing steadily to 61 then 87 pairs in 2009 and 2010, respectively (Št'astný et al.
2006; Bˇlka and Horal 2009; B
ˇ
lka and Horal 2010). Breeding eagles and individuals overwintering
from northern countries are also found here. Because it is a large bird and its presence along water
bodies is evident, it rarely goes unnoticed by fi shermen. This, and the fact that the species often
scavenges dead animals along the water bodies makes it very sensitive to poisoning. Since 2006,
up to ten individuals poisoned by carbofuran have been recorded annually. The recent population
sizes reported for the species within the Czech Republic demonstrate that carbofuran poisoning has
signifi cantly affected the eagle population in the country and can infl uence populations in other
countries as well.
5.2.3 Legal and institutional framework against wildlife poisoning
in the Czech Republic
As a Member State of the European Union, the Czech Republic's entire legislative framework is
in conformity with EU legislation. All substances containing carbofuran were banned in the Czech
Republic in 2008 following the EU Commission Decision of 13 June 2007 (refer back to Section 5.1).
The process of forbidding and withdrawing a substance can take time, during which there may be
ample opportunity to accumulate supplies for future use. Consequently, the information that the use
of carbofuran would soon be banned in the Czech Republic was withheld from the public. Other
provisions are in place as well. According to the Game Management Act (No 449/2001) and Act
No 246/1992 Against Cruelty to Animals, the placement of poisoned baits is strictly prohibited.
Moreover most piscivorous species of the Czech Republic are strictly protected species and deliber-
ate killing of any wildlife species is forbidden by the Nature Protection Act (No 144/1992).
Suspected wildlife poisoning should be reported to the police, since poisoning is considered a
crime delict (i.e., anyone discovered to have known about such a crime but not reported it can be
penalised). Unfortunately, up to now, police investigations have not identifi ed any culprits. Various
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