Kenya starts process to cull a million crows with poison

To combat Indian house crows spread, poison is being used in Watamu and Malindi to kill the first wave of this invasive species. The goal is to stop their spread towards Nairobi. Known locally as “kunguru” or “kurabu,” these crows originated from India and other parts of Asia, often hitching rides on trading ships.

Invasive alien birds” might sound like the tagline of a Hollywood thriller, but for the residents of coastal Kenya, it’s a harsh reality. Authorities are deeply concerned about the nuisance caused by Indian house crows and have initiated a culling operation targeting a million of these birds. Unlike the plot of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds,” humans aren’t the target; instead, these crows have been wreaking havoc for decades by preying on wildlife, raiding tourist areas, and attacking poultry farms.

They were intentionally introduced to East Africa in the 1890s to address a waste problem in Zanzibar, then a British protectorate. From there, they spread to mainland Kenya, first recorded in Mombasa in 1947. Since then, their population has exploded due to the growing human population and abundance of rubbish, providing ideal conditions for the crows to thrive. With no natural predators, their numbers have surged.

Indian house crows are considered one of the world’s most invasive and destructive birds. “They prey on indigenous species, including birds, mammals, and reptiles, devastating local biodiversity,” explained Jaap Gijsbertsen, a Dutch bird expert visiting Watamu. Conservationists note the significant decline in small indigenous birds, such as weavers and waxbills, due to the crows destroying nests and preying on eggs and chicks. This decline in local bird populations could lead to an increase in harmful pests and insects.

The crows also damage crops, livestock, and poultry. “They attack chicks aggressively,” said Eunice Katana, a resident of Takaye village in Kilifi county. The birds are notorious for their loud, early-morning calls, disrupting residents’ sleep, and their droppings deface buildings and discourage people from sitting under trees.

Given these issues, authorities have begun poisoning to reduce the Indian house crow population, aiming to cut it by half. This follows months of consultations with environmental experts, conservationists, community leaders, and the hotel industry. The culling process involves pre-baiting with meat to attract the birds before poisoning them. An avian poison called Starlicide, effective in reducing crow numbers without harming other birds or animals, is being used. Nearly 2,000 crows were killed in 2022 during efficacy tests.

Despite the planned culling, ethical concerns have been raised by animal and bird rights activists, who argue for humane, non-lethal methods. Leonard Onyango, an environmentalist, emphasized the need for sustainable approaches. However, those involved in the program stress the importance of protecting native species and maintaining ecological balance.

This isn’t the first government attempt to control invasive bird species. A previous effort over 20 years ago reduced the crow population, but the importation of Starlicide was later banned. The birds have become a significant nuisance at tourist hotels, disrupting guests, leading some hotels to trap or scare them away.

Despite the planned large-scale culling, authorities feel it’s necessary to prevent the crows from spreading inland, with sightings already reported in Mtito Andei, about 240km from Nairobi. “If we don’t act now, the crows could reach Nairobi, threatening birdlife, especially at Nairobi National Park,” warned Mr. Kirao.

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