Kenya: Leakey Calls for Ban on Carbofuran as Wildlife Poisonings Reach Alarming Levels

Published on Apr 28, 2008 - 7:53:16 AM

By: Wildlife Direct

April 28, 2008 - The Mara Conservancy has alerted authorities after finding five hippos dead and observing paralysis in four lions which fed on one of the hippo carcasses. Toxicology reports on one of the hippo carcasses and a lion both tested positive for carbofuran, an extremely toxic agricultural pesticide. Further investigations have revealed that traces of carbofuran were found in areas where the hippos were known to graze.

The sick lions were first reported on the Mara Conservancy Blog on April 15th and followed carefully by the rangers. Brian Heath, CEO of the Mara Conservancy later stated: "The first report came in three days post-ingestion where a lion was found to be weak, staggering and sitting under a thicket. Another young male from the same pride began showing similar but more severe paralysis and quickly became recumbent by the afternoon. This was followed by a lesser degree of paralysis of two more males during the next five days. Tissue samples together with stomach content from the euthanized lion were submitted to the Government Toxicology Lab. The results showed that the stomach contents of the hippo and lion tested positive for Carbofuran."

Lion Poisoned:

Incidences of poisoning represent a critical threat against Kenya's wildlife particularly through the use of Carbofuran. The chemical is extremely toxic, cheap and easily available. Dr. Richard Leakey, Chairman of WildlifeDirect.org is urging the government to ban the use of Carbofuran: "We are appealing to the Kenya government, the importer, Juanco SPs, the agrochemical association of Kenya, and the Pest Control Products Board to go the way of Europe and USA and ban the importation, sale, distribution and use of this deadly chemical in Kenya. We believe that there are significant human health concerns and environmental risks associated with using this chemical which is widely abused because it is easily available over the counter from any Agrovet."

Lion Poisoned:

Concern in Kenya was first raised in the 1990s when the chemical was reported to have caused the death of huge numbers of ducks and other waterfowl near Ahero (Western Kenya) and Mwea (Central Kenya) rice schemes. Poisoned waterfowl were then sold for human consumption. Discussions ensued between ornithologists from National Museums of Kenya (NMK), KWS representatives, the manufacturer of Furadan (FMC Corp), local manufacturers (AgroEvo E.A. Limited), regulatory authority (Pest Control Products Board), and the National Irrigation Board (NIB) who managed the rice schemes.

Responding to the recent alarming reports of poisoned wildlife, Dr. Richard Leakey convened a meeting with over 40 stakeholders on 25th April 2008, where eight presentations by conservation organizations and scientists showed the alarming cases of poisoned wildlife. One study confirmed that the chemical is also being used to catch fish in Lake Victoria which presents a serious health hazard to consumers. Unfortunately, fatal cases of what might be neuropathy may not be traced back to secondary poisoning from carbofuran.

Several cases of intentional use of carbofuran to kill predators have also been reported to the Kenya Wildlife Authorities.Earlier this year, conservation group, the Lion Guardians reported a case of two lions intentionally poisoned in Kajiado, Kenya. Poisoning is not only decimating Kenya's lion population which is estimated to be mere 2,000 individuals but also scavengers birds such as vultures and other birds of prey. In 2004, 187 vultures died as a result of just one poisoning incident. Raptor specialist, Simon Thomsett believes, "that if the current level of usage continues, it is possible that two different species of vultures in Kenya could go extinct within the next ten years."

Carbofuran is an agricultural pesticide sold in Kenya by Juanco SPS as Furadan, but is being widely abused especially by pastoralists. Exposure to the chemical, over stimulates the nervous system causing nausea, dizziness, confusion, and at very high exposures (e.g. accidents or major spills), respiratory paralysis and death. Despite the fact that carbofuran is banned in Europe and as of January 2008, the US Environmental Protection Agency has determined that all products containing carbofuran generally cause unreasonable adverse effects on humans and the environment, and are ineligible for re-registration, the Kenyan Pest Control and Products Board deny that the chemical has adverse effects on humans and wildlife.

WildlifeDirect and other conservation groups believe that banning the use of the chemical would only be one step to addressing the problem. "In addition, the KWS needs to find mechanisms that create incentives for communities to live in harmony with wildlife." states Head of Conservation for WildlifeDirect, Dr. Paula Kahumbu.

Carbofuran is widely available and cheap throughout Kenya. It is regulated through the Pest Control and Products Board (PCPB) which lists it as an agricultural chemical without any warning of its lethal toxicity (only the very concentrated form of Carbofuran is restricted like other poisons).

Website: wwwlwildlifedirect.org

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