On Wednesday, November 26, onlookers watched in horror as dozens of crows fell to the ground, convulsing, gasping, seizing, and dying on the downtown streets of Portland, Oregon.

It was recently confirmed that the crows were poisoned. Necropsies performed on each of the crows showed they had digested corn in their stomachs, which is frequently used as bait with poison. This heinous and despicable crime against these beautifully intelligent and incredibly social creatures violates the Migratory Bird Treaty of 1918, making it a federal crime.

A recent study by the University of New Zealand revealed that crows have an understanding of causal effects matching the understanding seen in seven year old human children, are able to solve causal puzzles, and build and use tools to achieve desired outcomes.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) had said they would open an investigation if poisoning was confirmed. Special Agent Gary Young of the Special Ecological Service Field Office in Portland said his agency made arrangements to send the crows to the National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory where they determined the birds had not died from natural causes, but were poisoned. Young says they will gather evidence and present it to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
However, because wildlife criminal prosecutions are rare, it is more important now than ever that we band together and call for the perpetrators of this barbarous crime be found and punished.

Click here to take action.