Solutions and challenges for the coexistence of Bonelli’s Εagle and bird breeders

The Cyprus Game and Fauna Service hosted a workshop on Friday, August 12, 2023 at the Akrotiri Environmental Centre in Limassol within the framework of the LIFE Bonelli eastMed project on the peaceful coexistence of the Bonelli’s Eagle with poultry farmers and other stakeholders involved in primary production.

The event was titled "Bonelli’s Eagle and small-scale poultry farms - Solutions and Challenges" and the attendees included representatives of aviculturists, the Cyprus Veterinary Services, the Department of Rural Development of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment and the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organization-CAPO. These institutions and services were involved in cases of disputes arising from damage caused by Bonelli’s Eagles in small-scale poultry farms.

The speakers discussed the challenges faced by the Bonelli’s Eagle, as well as other bird and fauna species. They also provided along examples of solutions that have been implemented in Cyprus and elsewhere, in order to mitigate problems between stakeholders.

The Game and Fauna Service (GFS) presented two exemplary cases of handling such problems. In the first one, the farmer involved had killed a Bonelli’s eagle and poisoned other predators, leading to a hefty fine. In the second case, the aviculturalist involved is working with the GFS in order to find the best way to protect his hens without attributing any blame to the species, despite the fact that he has experienced harm from it.

The representative of the Hellenic ORNITHOLOGICAL Society presented the experience of the LIFE Bonelli eastMed project from the development of two Memoranda of Understanding with the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO) and the Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO) signed between HEDNO and IPTO and the Ministry of Environment and Energy, with the support of the Hellenic ORNITHOLOGICAL Society. The MoUs cover cooperation issues for electricity pylon insulation and cable marking.

BirdLife Cyprus presented the data on poisoning in Cyprus as they have emerged from the implementation of the LIFE project "Life for Vultures", as well as best practices applied in other countries to eliminate the problem of illegal use of poisoned baits.

During the discussion, representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, the CAPO and the veterinary services raised concerns and suggestions for possible solutions that could be considered for the future and the need for more communication and further meetings and more detailed discussions between all parties involved was expressed by all.

Workshop conclusions

• In Cyprus there have been several examples of Bonelli’s Eagle deaths by poisoning or shooting near small poultry farms. Cases of such incidents are mainly concentrated between December and April, in some years the phenomenon being more pronounced than others probably due to the low availability of the eagle’s natural food. This season is therefore the most critical for deterrence actions, as it appears that the Bonelli’s Eagles have a greater need for food and are attracted to such facilities, whereas they tend to avoid them during the rest of the year.

• There should be a sufficient database and map record of all incidents of illegal killing, including poisoning, ideally on a publicly accessible map. The record should at least include the reason for killing (if ascertained), dates, species affected, and coordinates.

• Similarly, a database should be established and systematically updated regarding all cases of collisions, complaints and damage caused by birds or other animals so that they can be assessed and accordingly inspected for future prevention. It is crucial that the data allow for assessing death records regularly and spatially. As a minimum, the type of complaint, damage, the species by which it was caused, the date, what livestock or other animals were affected, etc. should be recorded.

• Regular legislation enforcement, with detailed investigation and detection of wildlife crimes, and fines for offenders. Effort should be put in courts, in order to highlight the importance of wildlife crime

• Regarding pivotal prevention:

• • Publication of enforcement cases, fines imposed, etc.
  • Publication of the fact that there are dog patrols for poison, as well as the patrols’ findings.
  • Informing and raising awareness among specific groups such as hunters, aviculturalists, breeders and farmers. Awareness-raising should take place at informal meetings in cafes and other places frequented by these groups and should cover, in addition to protection issues for species, risks from illegal pesticides, fines that may be imposed, the value of protecting wild species, assistance for deterrence and/or compensation, etc.
  • Helping small poultry farmers who have a problem with bird damage to protect their hens, i.e. fencing, or other measures that can provide more effective protection from birds, or from foxes and stray dogs that may lead someone to use poison.
  • The fact that a large number of birds carry a GPS device, which allows us to immediately identify a poisoning incident and therefore identify suspects potentially associated with the incident.

• Τhe possibility of small funds for investment measures and/or compensation for small damaged bird breeders should be considered: fencing,or replacement of hens or financial compensation, as to prevent negative emotions and feelings of despair after continuous damage, which can lead to retaliatory action against the eagles.

• The issue of the need to have a critical volume of stakeholders was also mentioned, as measures under Rural Development cost money to set up so it must be foreseen that enough people will be interested. The need for the action to be mature in order to be supported was also put to the table. Finally, the issue of legality was raised, as some small-scale poultry farmers may have illegal premises and therefore compensation in such cases would not be possible.

• It was suggested that a meeting of relevant departments should be held to examine the issue and develop appropriate proposals and criteria (Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Policy Sector of the Ministry of Agriculture, CAPO, Veterinary Services, etc.).

• Friendly and cooperative poultry farmers who work with the GFS in preventing damage can be pilot examples for testing different possible solutions.

• Finally, one more issue to be taken into account regards small-scale poultry farmers and possible synergies when drawing up the Action Plan against Wildlife Poisoning, to be developed under the LIFE project "Life with Vultures".