WHOO Else are We Poisoning with Rodenticides? Why Owls and Rat Poisons Don’t Mix

Owl expert Sofi Hindmarch will describe the devastating consequences of modern rat poisons on owls and other birds of prey. This is a very timely issue as municipalities across the Lower Mainland adopt – or consider adopting – a ban on the use of these chemicals.

Unlike older types of rodent poison like warfarin, rats and mice that eat the ‘second generation rodenticides’ can become easy prey for larger mammals (raccoons, bobcats, coyotes) and raptors like hawks and owls. The chemicals can accumulate in the predators’ bodies, indirectly poisoning them too. Owls seem to be particularly vulnerable to becoming poisoned.

Sofi is a wildlife biologist who has studied barn owls since 2006, first as a graduate student at SFU, then a scientist with Environment Canada working out of Delta, and most recently, with the Fraser Valley Conservancy Land Trust. Sofi is also a former Nature Vancouver scholarship winner which she received when she was a Masters student at SFU.

This presentation will be aired via Zoom Video Conferencing. (See https://naturevancouver.ca/zoom-videoconference-instructions/ for more information about Zoom). On Monday, Oct 26,  Nature Vancouver members will receive the Zoom link in the weekly e-News. To join, click on that link after 7pm. The talk will begin as usual at 7:30pm.

Non-members are welcome and should Email denis@NatureVancouver.ca well in advance to register for the link.