Death of more than 100 birds of prey proof stronger enforcement needed
The case for investigators probing the targeting of birds of prey to be handed the powers that they need to bring those behind the killings to justice has never been stronger, the Scottish Greens say.
The RSPB has just published their annual Birdcrime report which reveals across the UK there were 108 confirmed incidents in 2021, including 41 shootings or attempted shootings, 32 poisonings and 18 trappings.
There were also reports of illegal nest destructions with breeds impacted including buzzards, red kites, peregrines, goshawks, hen harriers, white tailed eagles and owls.
The report said a Golden Eagle was found poisoned beside a dead hare laced with banned pesticide on a grouse shooting estate in Scotland.
It suggested that 71% of all confirmed incidents of raptor persecution were related to land managed for gamebird shooting.
The majority of cases were in England but the organisation said it now wants the UK Government to follow Scotland’s lead by moving to introduce licences for driven grouse shoots and stronger powers of enforcement.
Scottish Greens environment spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP, who has been campaigning on the issue, said:
“For far too long now we have endured this systematic and shameful massacre of our great and rare birds and it has to be stopped.
“The best way for us to do that is to give the Scottish SPCA the powers to help the police investigate wildlife crimes.
“These alarming numbers suggest the case for that has never been stronger. I would question why anyone would be against such a move. During these challenging financial times the police need all the help they can get.
“I welcomed the recently announced consultation on Wildlife Management (Grouse Moor) Bill which would require those who manage grouse shoots to apply for a licence. These are important first steps.
“But today’s evidence of more than 100 of our most endangered species being persecuted and killed shows the importance of giving investigators all the tools they need to crack down on these crimes.”