Pesticide poisoning events in wild birds in Korea from 1998 to 2002

We describe cases of pesticide poisoning of wild birds diagnosed at the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service (Kyunggi Korea) from 1998 to 2002. Forty-one mortality events (759 birds) of 87 incidents (2,464 birds) investigated were associated with pesticide poisoning, and six organophosphates or carbamates were identified as being responsible for the poisoning. Phosphamidon was most frequently identified as the cause, of poisoning, accounting for 23 mortality events. Other pesticides identified as poisons for birds,were organophosphates monocrotophus, fenthion, parathion, EPN, and diazinon, and the carbamate carbofuran. Pesticide poisoning is a problem in wild birds in Korea.