Newsletter IAP

INNOVATION
AGAINST
POISON
Quarterly Newsletter on the LIFE+ Project
“Innovative Actions Against the Illegal use of
Poisoned Baits in Mediterranean Pilot Areas”

Spring 2012 Issue

CONTENT
Editorial
Last term, the LIFE IAP team counted with the visit of the European
Environmental Crime in Nestos.... 2 Commission, a great opportunity for the whole team to meet and talk
about the development and future goals. Three days of hard work
Greek National Monitoring
meetings which will contribute to improve the progress of the project.
Committee..................................... 3
It has been a hot period in Greece regarding poisoning events. The
Schooltalks.................................... 4 largest episode ended with six poisoned rare large birds of prey in the
Strait of Nestos, an area of outstanding importance at a European level.
ENHAIP - Improving rabbit habitats The episode was denounced by Public bodies together with different
...................................................... 5 NGO, which stated the importance of excellent cooperation in the fight
against poison.
ENSAIP .......................................... 6
Technical assistances to the European Networks against Poison kept
us busy trying to solve problems with feral dogs in Portugal and
Open days and exhibitions of the
helping hunters with measures to improve rabbit populations in Spain.
European Canine Team ................. 8
Schooltalks have been also an important action during this term,
News.............................................. 9
teaching the little ones how to prevent the use of poison.

The Innovation Against Poison Team

Page 1

Newsletter - Innovation Against Poison

Environmental crime with International
dimensions in the Strait of Nestos
Different NGO and Management Bodies of Protected Areas denounced the most serious
poisoning incident in recent years in Greece, which ended with six poisoned rare birds of prey.

The poisoned birds, vultures and
golden eagles, were found around
of two wild horses shot dead
in the Straits of Nestos, an area
of outstanding importance at a
Bearded
European level for the protection
vultures
of large predators and part of the
(Gyps fulvus)
Natura 2000 network. and Golden
Eagles (Aquila
The illegal use of poisoned baits is
chrysaetos)
unfortunately a common practice
found poisoned
in Greece, but this incident is in Nestos.
particularly serious due to the
fact that the whole animals were
used as poisoned baits, which of the total population on the funds more than 2 million Euros
increased the number or rare mainland. for the protection of certain bird
species. The use of poison aims species and habitat management,
to kill carnivores such as wolves As for the endangered golden while Greece participates with
and bears, because of the damage eagles, whose population in
neighboring countries in the
they cause to livestock and crops. recent years has been greatly
Balkan Action Plan for Vultures.
The problem is exacerbated reduced, recent evidence of Greek
This incident has therefore
by the failure of the State in Ornithological Society for Thrace
an impact of international
compensating damages, the record 30 pairs, representing
dimensions and it finishes up with
inadequate guarding in Protected approximately 20% of the national
population. This population is these EU efforts and neighboring
Areas, the lack of mechanisms to countries.
control the movement and the particularly vulnerable since the
use of pesticides. incident killed three adults and one The managers of protected
immature, which means the entire areas of the neighborhood and
Vulture is a threatened species breeding population of the Straits environmental groups are in
included in the Red Book of of Nestos. excellent cooperation with the
Endangered Animals of Greece. local authorities and expect to find
Fewer than 30 pairs survive in In the current economic crisis it is
imperative to ensure sustainable the perpetrator and exemplary
mainland Greece; the Straits of
development of local communities. punishment. This incident should
Nestos host the largest colony
The protection of unique natural be the last frame in a sad series of
of the species. It is particularly
wealth is the basis of this embarrassing images that poison
worrying that only by this
perspective. In this direction, the the Greek nature.
incident has left at least, as the
investigations continue, the 7% district has received from European
Page 2


National Monitoring Committee and the
Illegal Use of Poisoned Baits Control Plan
The recent environmental crime in Nestos (Greece) proofed the absolute necessity of
implementing the program activities. As a result, the University of Crete and Arcturos organized
together a press conference to present the Control Plan of illegal use of poisoned baits and to
establish the Project National Monitoring Committee.

The meeting was organized by A previous fruitless attempt had Ornithological Society) commented
ARCTUROS and the University taken place in 1999 in Dadia. This their experience fighting the
of Crete in Kalambaka on time the meeting was successful use of poisoned baits and how
February 21. It was attended and consensus was achieved and it influences the reduction in
by he Mayor of Kalambaka, Mr so was an agreement on common the extinction of birds of prey in
Dimitris Sakellariou, the mayor actions. Epirus. She also emphasized the
Mr. J. Zaropoulos, the mayor’s importance of combining both
councilors Mr Koufochristos and Antonis Rigas, the project programmes, as synergies can be
Mr D. Karakostas, representatives coordinator for ARCTUROS, pointed developed to achieve even greater
of the Ministry of Environment, out the National Commission results.
Energy and Climate Change- should operate after the LIFE IAP
Special Secretariat for the Forests, project in order to cope with the According to Dr. Stavros Xirouchakis,
Mr. P. Drougas and E. Giakoumi, problem nationwide. Project Manager of the programme
from the Forestry Department for the University of Crete, “The
Michalis Probonas, project problem of using poisoned baits
of Grevena, Mr. M. Skakas, Mr D. coordinator for the University of
Drizas, from the Forest Service exists all over the world where
Crete-Natural History Museum of farming is practiced and there are
of Trikala and Kalampaka, Mr. D. Crete, stressed the importance of
Kalogiros and Mr. S. Mouziouras. predator animals, especially after
the European Networks of hunters, the formalization of the overuse (of
Finally, representatives from farmers and municipalities against
the Directorate of Coordination the baits)”. Crete has been chosen
poison. as pilot area for implementing the
and Forest Inspection of
Crete and representatives Victoria Saravia (Greek programme because it has a larger
from the local authorities. population of vultures and other
raptors in relation to mainland
The board set up the National Greece, where populations
Programme Monitoring have collapsed.
Committee which met for the
first time in order to ensure the The discussion ended with
reliability and validity of the a great selection of pilot
actions and the outcomes of the actions in synergy with all
program. The National Advisory stakeholders to achieve
Commission will help and propose the maximum awareness-
further suitable measures for its raising.
implementation at local level in
order to resolve the problem.
Page 3


School talks: teaching the little ones
the importance of Biodiversity
Awareness-raising against the use of poison starts by knowing how important biodiversity
is and the risks of poisons. During the past months, LIFE IAP technicians have presented the
project to schoolchildren in the different pilot areas.
Our field technician Zoi Karanika,
from ARCTUROS, presented the
LIFE project to students of second KALAMBAKA
and third degree of the City of (Greece)
Kalambaka Elementary School
and the Primary and Secondary
Schools of Ampelia and Oxyneia
Kalambaka.
Children were told about the
organization and the actions
carried out under the LIFE IAP
project: the problem of illegal
poisoning, treatment and
ARCTUROS thanks the Directors
importance of stockbreeders
of the Primary and Secondary
and hunters to prevent its use. Schools of the Prefecture of
Discussions and opinion exchanges Trikala, Mr. Kafaneli and Mr.
between parents, teachers and Tselios for their kind cooperation.
children contributed to a very
enriching day.

This time the project changed environmental education and
RONDA tables and blackboards by experimental archeology that has
outdoor workshops for a different excellent facilities for this type
(Spain)
day at school. Children from of activities, such as a pond with
different schools from Benaoján a hide for birdwatching or farm
and Montecorto learned the with native breeds.
importance of the food chain and
biodiversity conservation through The LIFE project “Innovation
birdwatching workshops, lectures against poison” offers advice and
and field games about hazards of improvement of sustainable local
poison. businesses and municipal services
to members of the European
The activities were carried out Network of Municipalities Against
in collaboration with Algaba Poison (ENMAIP).
de Ronda, a local company
specialized in Eco-tourism,

Page 4


ENHAIP - European Network of Hunters Against llegal Poisoning

Improving habitat conditions of rabbits
One of the main difficulties for hunters in Spain is mantaining healthy populations of rabbits. As
part of the technical assistances provided to members of the ENHAIP, the LIFE IAP field technicians
have helped hunters with captive breeding and rabbit burrows.
Enclosures for captive breeding
are used by some Associations
of Hunters to recover rabbit
populations in areas where the
species has disappeared. This
technique of self-management, Enclosure for captive
carried out by the Associations breeding of rabbits
assisted by the LIFE IAP
independently and self-financing technicians in Serranía
themselves, aims to recover the de Ronda pilot area
species to enjoy hunting in the (Málaga, Spain)
future and reverses on protected
species in whose diet rabbits
are an essential element, setting
individuals in the territory and
maintaining stable populations.

Predators might be seen as one
of the reasons for the decrease
in rabbit populations. Covered The president of the
Conquista Hunting
burrows naturally help rabbit
Association (Valle de los
populations protecting them from Pedroches pilot area,
predators, preventing the use of Córdoba, Spain) talking
poisoned baits. to our fiel technician
about the project
Hunting associations are often
wrongly accused of this illegal
practice, sometimes carried out
by isolated individuals. With
this cooperation, hunters make
clear their position against the Covered burrows in the
use of poisoned baits and their hunting area “Dehesa
commitment to improving game Boyal”, where hunting
management and innovation, taking activities are combined
with sheep and pigs
advantage of the field technicians’
farming and obtaining
knowledge and experience and wood and charcoal.
resources provided by the project
to solve their problems and improve More information: Check the full article pblished in the
the productivity of the hunting area. magazine of the Andalusian Hunting Federation here.
Page 5


ENSAIP - European Network of Stockbreeders Against Illegal Poisoning

Consitution of the ENSAIP in Blachaba
Kalabaka
The ENSAIP in Continental Greece was established last December in a meeting held by ARCTUROS,
counting with the presence of the President of the Association of Cattle Farmers from Trikala,
Mr. Voutselas.

Field technicians
informing farmers
about the project and
providing the members
of the ENSAIP with
shepherd dogs.

The ENSAIP was constituted with measures to protect livestock problem because it endangers
about 35 stockbreeders of the and fight against illegal use of the lives of the local people.
areas of Antichasia, Koziakas poisoned baits by specialized
and Puli. These networks will technicians. Stockbreeders, in turn, will
participate actively addressing • Technical and legal advice for commit to:
the threat and simultaneously legal control of stray dogs and • Cooperate with ARCTUROS
operating as mediators between cats, as well as for the control and the relevant authorities
the citizens and the relevant of predators (wolf, bear). in the fight against illegal use
authorities, effectively treating • Provision of a pair of Greek of poisons
this illegal practice and protecting collie if possible. • Inform the technician of
biodiversity. • Organization of lectures ARCTUROS on time in case of
on livestock farming, the poisoning or suspicious use
As part of the voluntary
problems and the prospects of poison appears in their
commitment signed by ARCTUROS
in the region. ownership or pastures,
and stockbreeders, the first will
provide: Stock breeders, who officially • Ensure that every dog is
declared their participation in identified with a microchip.
• Free legal assistance and
the program, agreed that the
advice to deal and combat
illegal use of poisoned baits is ARCTUROS - Continental Greece
poisoning. In case of complaint
a very harmful practice for the Freephone Against Poison
ARCTUROS assume all the
environment and conservation of 80011010101
costs.
biodiversity and is a public health
• Technical advice about
Page 6


Technical assistances for farmers in
Idanha-a-Nova
Within the frame of the ENSAIP, technicians from Quercus implemented a series of actions to
help farmers to solve a conflict with feral and abandoned dogs.

Hunting dogs are often abandoned Quercus designed and built a ensures the fight against illegal
in the field after the hunting cage to help farmers to control poisoning in the field. By joining the
season, causing problems and these feral dogs. According to the ENSAIP and signing the agreement
conflicts between hunters and Portuguese law, the dogs that are against poison, farmers make
farmers, as they attack cattle. Such caught are sent to the municipality clear their position against the
problems may end up being solved shelter under supervision of the use of poisoned baits and benefit
with the use of poison to put an local veterinary. from free technical services and
end with predation. assistance provided by the project
The commitment of farmers technicians.
To avoid this, technicians from collaborating with the project

Sheepdogs By donating shepherd dogs,
the project in Spain promotes
against not only
livestock
this traditional
management tool
poison but also cooperation between
stockbreeders and recovery of
Fundacion Gypaetus pure breeds raised specifically
to take care and defend livestock
promotes defense against against predators
predators on livestock farms
providing shepherd dogs to Farmer from La Muela (Algodonales,
members of the ENSAIP n Malaga Range pilot area) receiving a
Spain. mastiff.

Page 7


Open Days and public exhibitions of the
European Canine Team in Spain
April has been the month for public exhibition of the Canine Team in the Spanish pilot areas. In
collaboration with the City Councils, Fundación Gypaetus organized the project Open Days in
Sierra Nevada, Sierra Mágina and Córdoba.

The European
Canine Team in
Güéjar Sierra (Sierra
Nevada, Granada,
Spain) with the
Environmental
servants and some
of the assistants.

Do you want to see the dogs in
action? Take a look at the press
and TV coverage: Mancha Real
Viva! and Ideal Granada.

The Open Days consisted of an village elders, the species formerly Environment and the Andalusian
ornithological workshop and more common in the pilot area, Strategy for Eradication of
games where young and adults livestock breeds and game species. poisoned baits. Attendees had the
had the chance to learn about opportunity to see the work of
biodiversity, the food chain and After the project presentations, the
these dogs, specifically trained to
hazard poison represents to public exhibitions of the European
Canine Team took place in different
detect poisoned baits in the wild,
endangered species. Workshops before they continue the shows in
were followed by a gymkhana to areas close to the villages with
the participation of Agents of the other European countries.
teach children, with the help of

Page 8


NEWS ENHAIP - European Network of Hunters Against llegal Poisoning

Subsidies for Sustainable Management of
Natural Environment in Andalusia
Hunters Societies are eligible for these grants announced by Regional
Government of Andalusia (Spain). Signed collaboration agreements with
organizations working in conservation may benefit the access to such
subsidies. Being a member of the European Network of Hunters Against
Poison will therefore represent an advantage. Fundación Gypaetus is
More information:
currently holding meetings with the different Hunters societies members
of the network to inform them and offer them assistance to complete the Order of 16 March 2012 laying down
application. the rules for awarding grants for the
Sustainable Management of Natural
Eligible projects include the construction of heaps, conditioned rabbit Environment in Andalusia. BOJA 56,
burrows, creating ponds or hedgerows and planting of grass, which 21/03/2012.
benefit game species of wildlife in general.

Presentation of the EHNAIP in Moura-Mourao-
Barrancos
On December 2011, CEAI
presented the LIFE IAP project in Francisco
Ferreira,
Amareleja, municipality of Moura president of
(Portugal), during the X Fair of the the hunters
Vine and the Wine, were more association
than 1.500 visitors passed by. of Amareleja,
during the
signature
During the event it was signed with Tiago
the protocol between the local Ferro, vice-
association of hunters - Associação president of
de Caçadores da Freguesia de CEAI.
Amareleja - and the LIFE project.
This association is responsible for
the management of three hunting
areas of the pilot area of Moura-
Mourão-Barrancos, including
more than 6.000 ha, and is now
a member of the “European
Network of Hunting Areas Against
Illegal Poisoning”.

Page 9


ENMAIP - European Network of Municipalities Against llegal Poisoning

Courses of Interpreter of natural and
cultural heritage
Knowing the resources is essential for its conservation. In collaboration with different groups
of Rural Development and municipalities of the pilot areas, Fundacion Gypaetus offers these
courses to municipalities of the European Network of Municipalities Against Poison.
The training is taught by experts interested in learning about the
from Fundación Gypaetus, natural and cultural heritage of
technicians from the groups of their town and how to manage it
rural development, professionals as a resource for self-employment
from the tourism sector, members and boosting its region.
of the Spanish Ornithological
Society, Technicians from the The training program includes
Centres for Tourism Initiatives and lessons on Heritage Interpretation,
Employment Units. Natural and Cultural Resources,
design of touristic routes and
The courses are free and intended employment opportunities. The
for all audiences, especially course also includes a practical part
unemployed people, active with excursions where assistants
workers in the tourism sector, will practice how to manage
entrepreneurs and anyone groups.

The Innovation Against Poison Newsletter is part of the awareness raising and dissemination of results of the Project
LIFE+ 09/NAT/000533 “lnnovative actions against illegal poisoning in EU Mediterranean pilot areas”. Fudación
Gypaetus is the coordinating beneficiary and Arcturos, CEAI, UoC and QUERCUS participate as associated
beneficiaries. The project is financed by the LIFE Programme from the Eupean Commission (2.730.790 €), Consejería
de Medio Ambiente Junta de Andalucía, Camara Municipal de Idanha-a-Nova and the Greek Ministry of Environment,
Energy and Climate Change.
INFORMATION
Contact Address:
Fundación Gypaetus
La Rioja, 1, 1ºB
23009 Jaén
Tlf: +34 953 220 062
comunicacion.life.iap@gypaetus.org
www.lifeagainstpoison.org
Innovation Against Poison
Partners: Co-financers:

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