An Interview With Israeli Ornithologist Dr. Yossi Leshem

June 21, 2010

Dr. Yossi Leshem is a professor at Tel Aviv University and long-time environmental researcher, educator and activist. Recently he took some time to answer a few questions from the New Vilna Review, via email, about his work.

NVR: For people who are not familiar with your work, can you tell us a little about the program you created to help control pests in Israel using Barn Owls and Kestrels?

YOSSI: The Israeli farmers used a lot of pesticides to control rodent populations. The pesticides affected and polluted the soil, water, wildlife, migratory birds from Europe and Asia, and, of course, people. Since 1983 we have erected 1900 nesting boxes for the Barn Owls and Kestrels. We learned that they lack nesting sites, so, when they use the boxes, a pair of Owls eats between 2000 – 3000 rodents per year.  In the areas where there are Barn Owls and Kestrels 300 farmers have stopped using pesticides, saving money and a cleaner environment.

NVR: Can you tell us something about some of the individuals and organizations involved in this project?

YOSSI: We started it with Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu, which is a religious kibbutz, in the Bet Shean Valley and the “flag leader” of organic farming in Israel. The idea started when the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel started the project from 40 nesting boxes in the 80’s, 730 in the 90’s. Now, (since 2009), the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture jointly sponsor the project and we have 1900 boxes.

NVR:  Where did the idea come from to use raptors for pest control in the Middle East?

YOSSI: It started in Malaysia, the UK and Tanzania.

NVR: What are some of the benefits of using Barn Owls and Kestrels as opposed to other kinds of pest management systems? Are there any drawbacks?

YOSSI: This is an easy system that does not harm the environment, but needs knowledge, monitoring and scientific experts to follow up.

NVR: Your work has spread, and now includes Jordanian and Palestinian partners, could you tell us a little about how this came to be? Would you like to expand the program to other countries in the Middle East as well?

YOSSI: In 2002 we had our first seminar with the Jordanian farmers and now we have 65 farmers. In 2008, 40 Palestinian farmers joined us. The Cleveland Federation gave the first funds, then USAID MERC gave $414,000 for the regional cooperation in 2008-2010. The Hanns Siedal Foundation, Germany, and the EU donated 460,000 euros for 2009-2011, and now the EU and the Peres Center have donated 420,000 Euros. So, this is progressing excellently.  In the future we will move to Africa, along the Great Rift Valley.