Invasive birds are a major nuisance on the coast and there are fears they could travel inland.
"Invasive alien birds" sounds like the strapline to a scary Hollywood blockbuster but for the people of coastal Kenya it is not a matter of fiction.
This ambitious poisoning campaign is aimed at halting the crows’ advance towards the capital, Nairobi. "They prey on the indigenous species, not just birds but also mammals, reptiles - and so their impact on biodiversity is devastating," Jaap Gijsbertsen, a Dutch bird expert, who is visiting Kenya's Watamu area, told the BBC.
The birds have defaced houses in Mombasa by defecating on the walls and roofs, while many people shy away from sitting under tree shades for fear of being dirtied by their droppings. An avian poison called Starlicide is so far the only known substance that has proved effective in reducing crow numbers, without affecting other birds or animals.Close to 2,000 crows were killed in 2022 during efficacy tests carried out on the poison by Little Kenya Gardens, the company licensed to import the poison, Cecilia Ruto, owner of the firm, said.
“Mass poisoning is a short-term solution that does not address the root cause of the problem,” said Leonard Onyango, an environmentalist.But those involved in the programme emphasise the need to protect native species and ensure ecological balance.
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