The Department of Environment in Málaga is currently investigating incidents in seven hunting areas relating to the illegal use of poisoned baits in traps.
Poisoned baits have been found in traps in Mollina, Casares, Antequera, Ronda and Archidona. In the past six years, 114 animals are known to have been killed through the illegal use of poisoned baits. Most of the dead animals have been birds, such as owls, vultures and eagles, but foxes, badgers and hedgehogs have also been caught in the traps.
Although illegal, many farmers persist in putting down poison baits in an attempt to protect their livestock from stray dogs and other so-called vermin. Pieces of meat are heavily impregnated with large quantities of readily available plant protection products, such as pesticides, and these then become poisonous, and fatal, to any animals who happen to ingest them.
The practice is illegal and anyone caught using such methods risks a heavy fine, but that doesn’t seem to deter many from continuing to set the traps.