Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
cholinesterase inhibitors. They can be easy to buy, there is no control exerted over their use, and no
education is given as regards their proper use. In addition though, the issue of anticoagulant rodenti-
cides must also be noted. Throughout Croatia, there are specialised fi rms for rodent control and these
are authorised by the government. They are called 'DDD' fi rms, i.e., disinfection, disinsection (erad-
ication of insects) and deratisation (eradication of rodents). These fi rms are very 'proactive', and put
rodenticides out not only for an existing infestation, but also to prevent future infestations. They are
paid in relation to the quantity that they put out, and not in relation to eradication results. Rather than
preventing infestation by management, i.e., cleaning an area by removing rubbish, unused items or
by cutting back vegetation to lessen infestation or the risk of infestation, extremely potent poisons
are indiscriminately placed into the natural environment.
Further, while many substances are now forbidden as plant protection pesticides by the Ministry
of Plant Protection, the Ministry of Health sometimes permits the same substances for use in
communal hygiene (to supposedly protect human health and control rodents). Substances such as
brodifacoum and fl ocoumafen are normally intended for use indoors, not outdoors (at least in the
UK). In Croatia, rodenticides are left indiscriminately in basements, often on a paper tray, with no
control. Figure 5.18 shows a photo from the Island of Hvar of a plastic bag fi lled with rodenticide
that was left sitting on a wall in the rain. On other islands, rodent control employees carry a bucket
fi lled with rodenticide and pass through the streets shouting 'Tko treba otrova?' (i.e., 'who needs
poisons?'). The locals, who do not receive any instructions or training, place these potent toxicants
into jars or plastic bags and use them as they see fi t.
Recently, in April 2010, a jackal carcass was discovered on hunted ground adjacent to the Velebit
Nature Park. The incident is reported by Relji´, Srebocan, Huber et al. (2010). The following day, a
dead bear was found some 200 m away (from the jackal carcass, which had been removed). No injuries
were visible on the bear, but traces of watery vomit were observed on the animal's front legs. At three
locations nearby, beside a water source, bait was found which consisted of meat and bones upon which
dark blue granules were observed. Two days later, the veterinarian from the Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine at Zagreb and the police visited the site. An autopsy conducted on-site revealed bloating of
the corpse, moderate autolysis and organ congestion due to blood coagulation. Samples were taken
Figure 5.18
Rodenticide baits left out on a stone wall on the Island of Hvar
Photo taken by Gordana Pavokovic
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