Project Update 2: February - March 2009

Field Dates: 27/02/2009 to 05/03/2009

Sites: Munaka (Bunyala Rice Scheme main rice planting zone)

We began data collection. A total of 73 dead birds out of 236 were observed after getting intoxicated by Furadan or, upon getting disoriented, were battered, strangled or their limbs dislocated.
Questionnaire and interview from 35 respondents revealed no apparent illness from people eating poisoned birds.

My local assistant is almost perfect using his binoculars and has learnt to photograph using the camera; see attached a number of his trial photos. I also left him a copy of Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania. The binoculars, camera and the bird guide were all purchased by funds from the Rufford Small Grants Foundation.

For more information please visit the up to date blog focusing on this study at http://www.stopwildlifepoisoning.wildlifedirect.org .