Kenya rolls out poison to cull voracious crow species

Authorities in Kenya are to cull millions of Indian house crows. Poison is being used in the coastal towns of Watamu and Malindi to kill the “invasive alien birds” and prevent further disruption, predation of wildlife and attacks on poultry farms.The campaign aims to stop the birds before they reach Nairobi. 

In the same way that corvids in the UK prey on smaller birds, conservationists say the subspecies has significantly reduced the number of indigenous birds in Kenya, such as weaver and waxbills, by targeting eggs and chicks. Indian crows have no natural predator. 

Following consultations with environmental experts, conservationists and community leaders, the Kenya Wildlife Service now aims to halve the population. 

A poison called Starlicide is so far the only substance that has proven effective in reducing crow numbers without affecting other birds or animals. Kenya-based farmer Aidan Hartley says using poison is a “good idea”, although it’s not a new initiative. 

“We nearly wiped out the crows with poisons in the 1990s. After 9/11, the Americans became difficult about exporting Starlicide. I was in Malindi recently and it was beset with crows; if they reached inland, it would be a catastrophe