Environmental impacts of the control with organophosphate pesticides and explosions of the red-billed quelea bird Quelea quelea in Africa

Abstract

Both spraying with pesticides and using explosions to kill red-billed quelea (Quelea quelea) may affect non-target organisms and leave hazardous contaminants in the environment. Results of monitoring such effects in Botswana and Tanzania showed that although few non-target mortalities were noted, indirect effects in terms of depressed cholinesterases in birds and small mammals were marked and pesticides and contaminants from products used for the explosions persisted at controlled sites at unacceptable levels and for long periods (at least 188 days for sprays and at least 11 months for petroleum products and plastics).

Keywords

• cholinesterases
• explosions
• non-target organisms
• organophosphate sprays
• Quelea quelea L.
• red-billed quelea
• residues