Heinsberg: No end to bird of prey persecution

Six dead Buzzards in Hückelhoven, Geilenkirchen and Wegberg

Joint NABU Heinsberg and CABS press release, 03.02.2009

Heinsberg. There appears to be no end to the persecution of birds of prey in the North Rhine Rural District of Heinsberg. In the past few days walkers and ornithologists in the region have uncovered three more serious cases of bird of prey persecution.

On Sunday (February 1st 2009), walkers near Hückelhoven-Altmyhl discovered two freshly dead Common Buzzards and reported the incident to the CABS office in Bonn. They then arranged a veterinary examination
The x-ray examination showed the cause of mortality -lead pellets in the corpses. “The birds were without any shadow of doubt killed with a shotgun. One bird was actually found near a shooting hide. We therefore suspect that the perpetrator can be found in hunting circles” states CABS’ general secretary Alexander Heyd. He announced the intention of filing an official complaint the next day against person or persons unknown.
On Saturday (January 31. 2009), witnesses informed the Heinsberg branch of the nature protection organisation NABU about a dead Buzzard which was lying in the vicinity of Wegberg-Holtum. The conservationists believe that this bird was also illegally shot: “The bird had bloody wounds on its underside which can only be caused by a shotgun” according to the senior regional NABU official Josef Tumbrinck. The NABU intends to take the bird this week for examination in the state veterinary laboratory in Krefeld in order to secure the projectiles as evidence.

Last week police found and seized a suspected item of poisoned bait near Geilenkirchen-Hoven . The bait was a pigeon, the breast of which had been plucked, slit open and filled with blue granules. According to CABS this is a common method used for poisoning birds of prey. At the end of January ramblers had reported three freshly dead Buzzards to CABS, which had been found lying near a farm track in the same area. The birds showed undoubted signs of poisoning and were therefore also sent to the state veterinary laboratory. The police criminal investigation department were also informed.

The conservationists emphasise that both new finds are only the tip of the iceberg. According to Heyd: “The illegal persecution of birds of prey in NRW is widespread and the incidents, especially in the Heinsberg district, are not isolated cases”. Near the latest find near Hückelhoven an endangered Montagu’s harrier was found shot in February 2008. The poisoned bait found near Geilenkirchen was in a ‘problem area' well-known to the police, where last year several proven case of raptor poisoning had occurred. Despite an intensive investigation by the police the offenders were not brought to justice.
In order to put a stop to the activities of these bird haters the conservationists now appeal to the public for their assistance. If anyone has seen anything suspicious over the past few weeks, or can provide information leading to the identification of the offenders, they are requested to contact the CABS office in Bonn (+49 (0)228-665521) or the nearest police station


V.i.Contact.d.P.: Axel Hirschfeld (CABS Press Officer), Auf dem Dransdorfer Berg 98, 53121 Bonn