How does this happen?
Birds of prey are territorial, selecting areas with good food and nesting sites. The unfortunate impact of urbanisation is that there is far less suitable territory available for birds. Man made structures, fences and power lines etc create obstructions into which birds can collide, causing accidental death, injury or electrocution.

All raptor species are vulnerable to pesticides, insecticides and toxic chemicals. Poisoning occurs when birds of prey eat insects, rodents or seed-eating birds that have been poisoned for pest control. As chemicals are passed up the food chain, they become more concentrated in the tissues of each succeeding animal, a process called bioaccumulation. A raptor's position at the top of the food chain makes it particularly vulnerable to receiving a large dose causing death, paralysis or infertility.

Hunting and shooting birds of prey for sport does occur, although illegal, in addition birds may be shot because they are thought to be responsible for stock loss. In fact, this is rarely the case except where their natural food source has disappeared. Most often the stock has been killed by some other cause and the raptor has flown in to eat the carrion.

Illegal trade of birds and eggs involves the capture and removal of a birds, chicks and eggs from their natural habitat. Negative superstitions about owls unfortunately results in their persecution and death, and illegal sales of raptors for the muti markets occurs around the country.