Winter Poisoning of Coyotes and Raptors with Furadan-Laced Carcass Baits

Abstract

Three bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), and two coyotes (Canis latrans) found in a field in north-central Kansas (USA) in December 1992 were poisoned by flowable carbofuran (Furadan 4F) placed on sheep (Ovis aries) carcasses to kill coyotes. The carbofuran was placed on the carcasses in October 1992, but the coyotes and raptors apparently were killed in late December. Thus, flowable Furadan can cause direct and secondary deaths of wildlife under some circumstances for at least 60 days following placement.

Avian Mortality Events in the United States Caused by Anticholinesterase Pesticides: A Retrospective Summary of National Wildlife Health Center Records from 1980 to 2000

“…In one instance, 35 snow geese, two mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), a blue-winged teal (Anas discors), and a ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis) were found dead after granular carbofuran was applied in furrows during planting of no-till corn. Misuse of carbofuran often involved baiting, where carbofuran was applied to animal carcasses, similarly to that described by Allen et al (1996). For example, three American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos), three northern harriers, and two redtailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) were found dead along with several mammal carcasses, with carbofuran-tainted poultry carcasses nearby.…”

A Retrospective Study of Cases of Acetyl Cholinesterase Inhibitor Poisoning in the Coyote (Canis latrans) and the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in the Canadian Prairies

“…Following the nation-wide ban of the organochlorine class of insecticides in the early 1970s, organophosphate and carbamate insecticides were introduced as alternatives for pest management [1][2]. The major advantage associated with the introduction of these insecticides was low environmental persistence coupled with efficacious insect control.…”

“…This is also referred to as "relay toxicity". Multiple scavengers can become poisoned from a single intoxication event due to relay toxicity [1].…”

“…Targeted poisoning of coyotes (Canis latrans) with organophosphate and carbamate pesticides has been identified in Canada and the United States [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. The continued economic losses from coyote-related livestock kills have deemed the animal a nuisance for livestock producers.…”

“…rat oral LD50 of carbofuran=6.0-7.8 mg/kg body weight) and extensive availability of acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor insecticides enables the accidental and intentional animal poisoning with these agents [5]. Exposure to animals can occur through multiple routes: inhalation of sprayed agricultural pesticides (i.e., primary toxicity), consumption of contaminated water or food, dermal contact for insect control in fur (depending on the agent or formulation used), and secondary toxicity from the ingestion of animals previously poisoned with acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor pesticides [1][2][3][4][5][6].…”