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A racing pigeon, marked with a personal identification ring, was captured by an unscrupulous fellow pigeon fancier, smeared with a toxic substance, and thrown into a field near the town of Rakitovo with its feathers trimmed so that it could not fly. The bird was intended to serve as live bait to kill birds of prey, according to a recent report by 24 Chasa newspaper.
Despite its severe condition, the pigeon miraculously survived and attempted to fly back to its loft, reaching the outskirts of the town. There, another pigeon keeper noticed and captured it—fortunately before a child or passerby could have touched the bird, which could have resulted in serious health consequences. Based on the initials on the ring, the pigeon was returned to its owner, who immediately recognised that the bird had been deliberately coated with poison.
Earlier this year, a Saker Falcon was killed using the same method in the Plovdiv region. That bird was one of the few breeding individuals in Bulgaria—a population whose recovery has taken more than 15 years of dedicated work by Green Balkans and the conservation community. In 2011, a young Eastern Imperial Eagle—a globally threatened species—was killed in a similar incident near Perushtitsa. Sadly, these cases are not isolated. The use of pigeons as poisoned bait appears to be a widespread illegal practice in the country and represents a serious problem that requires urgent attention from the Ministry of Environment and Water, the Ministry of Interior, and their regional structures.
The incident in Rakitovo raises pressing concerns not only about the illegal killing of protected wildlife but also about the direct risks to human health. Poisoned baits are among the most dangerous wildlife crimes because no one can predict whom they might harm:
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A protected wild species may die—birds of prey (all of which are protected by national law) are the usual targets, but any species in the food chain is at risk.
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A domestic animal may be affected—most commonly shepherd or hunting dogs. (In Greece, more than 60% of poisoned-bait victims are shepherd dogs, followed by other domestic animals.)
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Game species can be killed—such as the wild boar that died from poisoning in front of a hunting party near Krumovgrad in 2016.
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And not least, people, including children, may be harmed.
The poisons most commonly used are pesticides—carbamates or organophosphates—which can cause severe neurological damage, paralysis, or even death in humans. Many of these substances are banned in Bulgaria and the EU and enter the country illegally. Even touching one’s mouth with contaminated hands can be enough to cause serious harm—especially in children, who are particularly vulnerable.
The roots of the problem—and why poison is not a solution
Racing pigeon sports are popular and well developed in Bulgaria, relying on advanced training techniques, nutrition, genetics, and modern technology. The conflict between pigeons and birds of prey dates back to the domestication of pigeons. Some racing breeds are selected for long, high-altitude circling flights, making them easy targets for raptors. Losses can be substantial, both emotionally and financially. This leads some pigeon keepers to resort to illegal methods in an attempt to mitigate the problem.
However, no conflict justifies a crime that can kill rare species, domestic animals, or place human health at risk. Experience from Bulgaria and abroad shows that poisoning not only fails to solve the problem but also creates additional harm—including to the reputation of responsible pigeon breeders who have nothing to do with such actions.
BSPB’s position
As initiator and co-author of the National Action Plan against the Illegal Use of Poison in the Wild, BSPB strongly condemns the use of poisoned baits and considers this case a stain on the ethics of pigeon racing. Under the “Life for the Falcon” project, BSPB has taken significant steps to research and reduce the conflict between pigeon keepers and birds of prey. In recent years, productive dialogue has been established with major pigeon-breeding organisations, including the Federation of High-Flying and Long-Distance Pigeon Breeders of Bulgaria (FGVPP), the Bulgarian Federation for Racing Pigeons (BFSP), the Bulgarian Association of Racing Pigeon Breeders (BARGP), and various local clubs.
As a result, joint initiatives such as the “High and Safe” campaign and the “Model Loft” programme were carried out, and various preventative methods were scientifically tested. Following the poisoning of the Saker Falcon earlier this year, the FGVPP publicly condemned and distanced itself from such criminal acts. These steps show that the pigeon-breeding community is willing to work legally and constructively and that the sport can develop hand in hand with nature conservation.
It is time for society to take a clear stand against this crime
Using poisoned baits in nature—especially when live pigeons are used—is a serious criminal offence that causes immense suffering to animals and endangers everyone. It is an attack on wildlife, on our pets, and on people. Only through public intolerance, active reporting, and strict penalties can we end this practice.
We urge anyone who witnesses or has information about such activities to immediately report it to 112, the police, or the Regional Inspectorate of Environment.