Wildlife deaths in Scotland resulting from misuse of agricultural chemicals

Abstract Deaths of wild and domestic animals have been investigated over a seven-year period. A large number of animals have been poisoned by deliberate misuse of pesticides. These have included many protected species as well as domestic animals. Three pesticides, alphachloralose, mevinphos and strychnine, were found to be used in 94% of these cases. Misuse of pesticides was mainly seasonal and much of it was associated with the protection of young game birds and some arable crops. The difficulties of countering this illegal practice are discussed.