Bird crime and the assessment of risk areas in Slovakia

Abstract

Bird crime is a serious problem in many countries around the world. This study focuses on the situation in Slovakia, summarising data on bird crime in the country between 2016 and 2022. Over the course of that period, 92 cases were recorded in 27 districts involving 33 animal species. At least 249 protected birds and 78 mammals fell victim to illegal activities, and 61 poisoned baits were discovered. Social value is the monetary value which state institutions use to quantify the damage incurred to wildlife. Slovak law determines whether an illegal act is an offence or a criminal act based on the value of the incurred damage. The total social value of all of the protected animals as a result of illegal activities was estimated at € 696,250. Intentional poisoning, typically using carbofuran, was the most common of illegal act identified in the recorded cases, followed by shooting and trapping. An analysis of the recorded cases of bird crime was also used to assess the risk in each of Slovakia’s districts in relation to landscape structure variables. The percentage share of arable land was found to be a reliable predictor of bird crime, regardless of whether the birds had been poisoned or shot. These findings can help to develop better preventive inspections to detect bird crime incidents. We also recommended several management measures to help tackle bird crime more quickly and effectively.

Keywords

• wildlife crime
• poisoning
• carbofuran
• land structure
• arable land