Greece’s organized crime unit has joined the investigation into a mass poisoning of black vultures and other wildlife at Dadia National Park, authorities said.
The unit’s involvement was triggered by the use of banned substances – including cyanide, methomyl and carbofuran – in poisoned bait, chemicals considered dangerous to humans as well as animals.
Nine black vultures have been found dead, while three others were discovered alive, two of which were released. The bait was identified as roe deer meat, a protected species whose hunting is prohibited.
Additional casualties include five foxes, a wolf, a marten, two buzzards and four ravens.
Investigators believe a poacher planted the poison to eliminate wolves and foxes, hoping to increase game populations. Authorities are considering phone record surveillance to identify who entered the park’s core zone during the critical days. A coordinating meeting is scheduled at the Soufli forestry office.