International workshop on poisoning & vultures: what is the situation in Africa and how can Europe help?

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Felix Hart
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1 International workshop on poisoning & vultures: what is the situation in Africa and how can Europe help? PROGRAMME Objectives - Review and assess current situation regarding poison and vultures across the African continent, including substances used and modus operandi - Review current techniques and tools used to fight poison in Europe, notably a) identification of a poisoning incident; b) forensic methods and tools used; c) collecting samples for toxicological analysis; d) laboratory analysis; e) public awareness and communications - Identify current gaps in the fight against poison in Africa - Review current legal framework in Europe and Africa and assess advocacy and policy gaps Expected outputs - Establishment of a multidisciplinary effective network of experts across the two continents - Establish tangible partnerships, including on forensic and analytical/lab work - Identification of poisoning hotspots in Africa and key poisons and methods used - Recommendations both on operations and legal system to improve the fight against poison in Africa A summary publication will be produced by the Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF). - 1-

tools used to fight poison in Europe, notably a) identification of a poisoning incident; b) forensic methods and tools used; c) collecting samples for toxicological analysis; d) laboratory analysis;

2 GENERAL WORKING PLAN-DAILY TABLE Working plan for days 1,2, WORKING SESSION CAFELITO (*) WORKING SESSION LUNCH WORKING SESSION After Hours OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES, SLIDE SHOWS (*) Coffee break DETAILED SCHEDULE Day 0, April 7. Vultures arrival to Ronda, Málaga, Spain Relaxing group dinner at La Algaba Day 1, April 8: Topics of the day: Getting to know one another, scene setting, description of the situation in Africa, multidisciplinary aspects of the poisoning threat I. Fajardo (Antipoison Programme, Junta de Andalucía), Welcome and introduction to the workshop aims & planned outputs R. Arenas (Vulture Conservation Programme, Junta de Andalucía), Vultures and Poison in Andalucía - 2-

Vultures arrival to Ronda, Málaga, Spain Relaxing group dinner at La Algaba Day 1, April 8: Topics of the day: Getting to know one another, scene setting, description of the situation in

3 J. Tavares (Vulture Conservation Foundation), Summary review of the conservation status, population and distribution of Vultures in Europe, including a review of the impact of poisoning A. Botha (Birds of Prey Programme, Endangered Wildlife Trust & IUCN SSC Vulture Specialist Group), The situation in South Africa R. Akagu (Species and Important Bird Area Programme, Nigerian Conservation Foundation) The situation in Nigeria CAFELITO 45m H. Kolberg (Namibia Ministry of Environment & Tourism) The situation in Namibia D. Ogada (Assistant Director of Africa Programmes The Peregrine Fund) & Martin Odino (Research Associate at the Ornithology Section of the National Museums of Kenya) The situation in Kenya and Eastern-Central Africa M. Selebatso (BirdLife Botswana) The situation in Botswana Y. Dellelegn (Project Leader Birdfair, Ethiopian Wildlife & Natural History Society) The situation in Ethiopia To be determined J.R. Garrido (Bird Monitoring Scheme-Project Poctefex Transhabitat) The situation in Morocco LUNCH 2h15m R. Buij (Animal Ecology. Alterra Wageningen UR) The situation in Western Africa N. Richards (Canine Field Specialist, Working Dogs for Conservation, USA) Why bring lab and vulture people together? J. Lalah (Technical University of Kenya) Integrating environmental monitoring experience to assess vulture poisoning - 3-

Botha (Birds of Prey Programme, Endangered Wildlife Trust & IUCN SSC Vulture Specialist Group), The situation in South Africa 10.40-11.00 R.

4 A. Gachanjah (Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology, FASTA) The FASTA and other capacity-building initiatives available for analytical infrastructure in Africa C. Meteyer (Deputy Program Coordinator- Environmental Health, US Geological Survey National Center, USA) & Mark Taggart (United Kingdom) Limitations and possibilities of toxicology analysis Review and conclusions After hours Delegates slide shows: The bearded vulture reintroduction project in the Alps (VCF), others (***) (***) Delegates are asked and advised to bring materials to show. Day 2, April 9: Topics of the day: Technical aspects of poison and analysis: chemistry, forensic, toxicological analysis N. Richards. Pinning down poison from a technical perspective. - What is poisoning and what is not - Toxic compound families - Deliberate and non-deliberate poisoning - The role of NSAIDs, heavy metals and antibiotics I. Zorrilla (Centro de Análisis y Diagnóstico) Identification of poison signs on carcasses in the field I. Zorrilla & N. Richards Conventional and non-conventional sampling for toxicology analysis C. Meteyer & I. Zorrilla The pathologist s/laboratory perspective: things to look for in the lab, acceptable and non-acceptable samples + why = case studies as examples Lab resources in Africa what can be done in their absence? Round table discussion, facilitated by J. Tavares - 4-

5 CAFELITO 40m N. Richards & I. Fajardo Why investigate poison incidents? The role of forensics and scientific police J.A. Alfaro (SEPRONA de la Guardia Civil) Crime Scene Investigation. The basis of a good case I. Zorrilla, A. Ruiz & I. Fajardo Case studies of successful investigation of poisoning incidents in Andalucía Is forensic investigation useful and feasible in the African context? Round table discussion, facilitated by J. Tavares and N. Richards LUNCH 2h15m Slide-show Antipoison Scheme of the Andalucía Government UCE (Canine Unit) demonstration and finding procedures by Police Agents After hours Working Dogs for Conservation Day 3, April 10: Topics of the day: Field demonstration, legal aspects, policy, advocacy, public awareness Short hands-on field simulation/exercise to show how samples would be collected/chain of custody, Crime Scene Investigation, forensic demonstrations (fingerprinting, forensic lights, forensic entomology, etc.) CAFELITO 45m M. Odino Positive economic reinforcement against poison. The Bunyala model D. Ogada Poison prevention through education: successful strategies for Africa J. Andevski (Vulture Conservation Foundation) Lessons from the other European gate to Africa: fighting poison in the Balkans - 5-

45 Is forensic investigation useful and feasible in the African context? Round table discussion, facilitated by J. Tavares and N. Richards 13.45-16.00 LUNCH 2h15m 16.00-18.

6 A. Botha An overview of policy tools in Africa Fighting poisoning in Africa, how? Round table discussion, facilitated by J. Tavares LUNCH 2h15m LATE AFTERNOON PLENARY SESSION - Conclusions -Summarizing the current situation -Developing the supportive network who needs what, who can help? -Next steps, can we? -Conclusions After hours Slide show from delegates. Video of the Vulture Programme, Andalucía Government Day 4, April 11: Transfer from Ronda to Málaga. Visit to CAD, Centro de Análisis y Diagnóstico (the Andalusia reference lab for toxicological analysis). We have rented a bus to take all of us from Ronda to Málaga. We will spend the whole day there but please note travellers are not returning to Ronda, because it would mean lot of driving, given early next day they have to come back to Malaga airport to fly back to home land. Hotels will be available in Malaga for those who need, with dinner and breakfast next day before taking flights. Last dinner and fare well smooches Day 5, April 12: Transport to Malaga Airport. Vultures returning to their roosts. - 6-

-Conclusions After hours Slide show from delegates. Video of the Vulture Programme, Andalucía Government Day 4, April 11: Transfer from Ronda to Málaga.

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