A massive poisoning event has been reported in the Negev, where 335 black kites (Milvus migrans) were found dead, along with other raptors and birds.
The poisoning appears to have resulted from approved pesticides accumulated in a water puddle formed by irrigation. It is believed that the affected birds drank from the contaminated water source.
Authorities Warn of a Wider Ecological Impact
Authorities described the poisoning as a severe environmental disaster, warning that more birds and wildlife might have been affected. The mass mortality of these raptors is likely just the tip of the iceberg, as the suspected toxic substance is highly lethal to many species and remains in the environment for a long time.”
Tracking the Victims: A Tagged Black Kite Among the Dead
One of the dead black kites, identified as X71, had been tagged in December 2017. This individual had completed six migration cycles between spring and autumn, traveling as far as central Russia, about 1,600 km northeast of Moscow, where it had nested until recently.
Black kites, members of the Accipitridae family, are scavengers that feed on a wide range of prey, including insects, reptiles, birds, and small mammals. While they primarily hunt for live prey, they also scavenge in areas with abundant waste or near fish farms, which exposes them to a higher risk of poisoning.
A History of Poisoning Threats
Black kites were once a common breeding species in the Middle East. However, widespread pesticide poisoning, which affected many raptor species, led to their near extinction as a breeding species. Today, black kites only visit the region during winter, making their conservation a pressing concern.
Endangered Species Also Affected
In addition to the black kites, authorities also discovered the Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga) carcass, a globally endangered species.
According to birding experts, the Greater Spotted Eagle is a relatively common winter visitor in the region, with populations found in the northern valleys, coastal plains, and Judean foothills. However, hunting, habitat destruction, and hybridization with Lesser Spotted Eagles (Clanga pomarina) have significantly reduced its global population. The estimated 150–200 individuals that winter in the region represent a substantial proportion of the global population, now estimated to be fewer than 10,000 individuals worldwide.
Urgent Action Needed
This tragic poisoning incident highlights the urgent need for stricter pesticide regulations and better enforcement of conservation policies. Conservationists and environmental authorities stress the importance of:
Better regulation of pesticide use to prevent accidental poisoning.
Increased monitoring of bird populations to detect and respond to poisoning incidents quickly.
Greater public awareness about the dangers of pesticide misuse and its impact on wildlife.
Strengthening collaboration between conservation organizations and governmental agencies to prevent further ecological disasters.
