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The competitive season for high-flying and long-duration pigeon racing is in full swing. Every weekend, dozens of pigeon fanciers from across the country compete by sending their racing pigeons into the sky, hoping their team will stay airborne for as long as possible. However, these high-flying pigeons attract the attention of certain birds of prey, which during this time of year are feeding their young and consequently cause harm to the domestic pigeons. This intensifies the conflict between pigeon fanciers and birds of prey, and increases the risk of illegal poisoning in nature. This is not only a crime, but also a serious threat to all living beings – birds, mammals, domestic animals... and even humans.
Combating the illegal use of poison is one of the main tasks of the specialized environmental crime unit of the Ministry of Interior. Recently, the unit apprehended a person selling toxic substances and other illegal products banned in Bulgaria.
To support the work of this unit and help mitigate the threat, as part of the “Life for the Saker Falcon” project, the BSPB’s (Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds) poison detection team, working with specially trained dogs, carried out a patrol in the areas around several villages near Plovdiv. This region has a high concentration of pigeon fanciers, and earlier this spring a female Saker Falcon was poisoned there – one of only six breeding birds of this species in Bulgaria. The Green Balkans’ Saker Falcon reintroduction program has been making focused efforts for over 15 years, and the process remains difficult and slow. Crimes against wildlife – especially those involving the illegal use of poison – have a cascading effect not only on this globally endangered species, but on many others protected under Bulgarian and international law.
The good news is that during the search, no traces of poisoned baits or poisoned animals were found. Regardless of this result, the dog patrols will continue in the coming months to further reduce the risk of wildlife poisoning.
It’s important to remember that the use of poison is strictly prohibited, and it does not solve the problem – it creates new ones. Poison kills indiscriminately and leaves lasting damage on ecosystems, which in turn leads to even more targeted and intensive counter-actions by authorities and conservation organizations.
Every pigeon fancier knows that a true champion is recognized by strategy, consistency, and care for the birds – not by using banned methods. The sport needs fair play. Nature needs our respect. Let’s be responsible together!
We remind everyone that the destruction of protected species is a crime under the Bulgarian Penal Code, punishable by a fine of up to 20,000 BGN and up to 5 years of imprisonment!