First specialized course for qualification and capacity building of the state institution against use of poisons in the nature has been held in Bulgaria

In the period June 22-24, 2022, the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB), the Thrakia University of Stara Zagora, the General Directorate of the National Police and the Green Balkans Wildlife Rescue Center - Stara Zagora conducted a specialized training course of employees of state institutions, aimed at investigating cases of poisoning and improving coordination between institutions regarding the work and implementation of activities set out in the "National Action Plan to Combat Illegal Use of Poisons in the Wild 2021-2030“.

The plan was officially adopted by the Ministry of Environment and Waters in the summer of 2021. Ìt is one of the most important strategic documents, focused on the eliminating one of the biggest threats for the wild birds – using poisons in nature. In connection with the implementation of the plan, the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) held a number of meetings in the winter of 2022 with the participation of experts from interested institutions - Ministry of Interior, Regional Directorates for Food Safety, Regional Forest Directorates, and hosted the relevant Regional inspections for environment and water. Continuing the work on the implementation of the Plan, BSPB and the Thrakia University of Stara Zagora initiated the organization of a specialized course for advanced training of employees of state institutions in connection with the fight against the use of poisons in the wild.
  
The training was held within 3 days at the Thrakia University, Stara Zagora. A total of 13 cadets from the Ministry of Interior, RIEW, Regional Forest Directorates, and BFSA took part. The course is part of the Thrakia University's curriculum for postgraduate qualification on "Investigation of wildlife incidents and inter-institutional cooperation". The trainers were habilitated lecturers from the Thrakia University, Stara Zagora, experts from BSPB and Green Balkans, and the General Directorate of National Police. The trainees took a three-day theoretical course, followed by practical classes at the Green Balkans Wildlife Rescue Center. The course ended with the graduation of the participants and a certificate of qualification issued by the Thrakia University.

The Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds expresses its gratitude to colleagues from the Thrakia University of Stara Zagora, the Green Balkans Wildlife Rescue Center, Stara Zagora for the household, and the General Directorate of the National Police for the training. We express our gratitude to the Association of Prosecutors in Bulgaria and the Forensic Science Sector at the General Directorate of the National Police for their assistance.

 

The specialized course was held within the LIFE projects "LIFE for Eagle’s Habitats" and "Egyptian Vulture New LIFE". Experts, part of the team of Life for Falcons project, also took part in the training.


Photographs: Dobromir Dobrev