RBCal

Carbofuran, marketed as Furadan by Philadelphia-based FMC Corp., is used to control insects and other pests on crops such as corn, rice and sorghum. But conservationists say herdsmen in East Africa trying to protect their flocks have taken to using the pesticide to poison lions, hyenas and other predators.

http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_12024803

PLEASE BOYCOTT FMC

NoFlyZone

FMC 'says it is taking "aggressive action" to prevent misuse of the product, halting sales to the country and trying to buy back existing supplies.'

Doesn't sound like a boycott is all that necessary.

PredatorBiologist

The 60 minutes piece can be seen here http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4901291n

The far reaching consequences of this poison is tragic. It's blamed for killing huge numbers of birds in North America too before it became strictly controlled. From a practical standpoint it should not be a primary option in a country that needs its wildlife as a major part of its economy.

Nyamera

There's an anti-Furadan blog on Wildlife Direct http://stopwildlifepoisoning.wildlifedirect.org/

andybiggs

They said at the end of the 60 Minutes program that FMC has banned the product in Kenya but all other countries it is still being sold. Same problem, just everywhere else.

thit_cho

I saw the piece, and in my opinion, the Kenyan government and the Masai are to blame, not FMC. The Kenyan government could ban its sale and importation. And, I expect that the Masai, at least those that participate in, or tolerate, lion killing would find an alternative. Its easy to blame FMC, and I'm sure they will be the targets of boycott and litigation, but they are the easy scapegoat.

Michael

spassvogel

It's all too sad!

Will humans ever learn?

SV

thit_cho

I would also propose that the libelous headline be changed to "Some Masai, using legally available product, sold by unscrupulous shopkeepers, responsible for slaughter of African wildlife"

atravelynn

Thit cho, you've described the unfortunate situation well. The end result is still the slaughter of African wildlife. The program mentioned the fact that 70% of the animals live outside of protected parks.