As black kite deaths from pesticide rise to 900, authorities issue orders to farmers

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel ask farmers not to use the pesticide Nemacur, or any similar organophosphate, as the number of black kites that have died from a mass poisoning event in southern Israel rises to 900.

Nemacur has emerged as the cause of death in initial samples from the dead birds and findings from the field near Moshav Patish in the Western Negev.

Carcasses are still being discovered ten days after the pesticide was sprayed and diluted in puddles from which the birds drank.

The nature authority is taking steps to keep birds away from the contaminated field, in conjunction with the Agriculture Ministry.

Farmers are asked to drain or cover with soil any puddles in areas where such chemicals have been used and to report any unusual events to the authority’s hotline on *3639.