We blogged last month about the number of birds of prey poisoned in Scotland following the publication of ‘Pesticide Poisoning of Animals in 2010’ by the Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture organisation. The report showed to what lengths some gamekeepers will go to protect their populations of grouse for shooting. In 2010 there were a staggering 22 incidents of raptor poisoning!
Now a report by the RSPB examines the entire picture of raptor persecution including the use of illegal traps and poisons.
The figures are shocking but sadly we know that this represents only a small percentage of the actual number of birds killed each year. I find it completely staggering that some species are made to suffer in order for others to thrive (sometimes reaching unnaturally high numbers) so they can then be shot.
I know that it is possible to manage our uplands in a way which does benefit grouse and many other species without this ruthless persecution.
And of course it’s not just raptors which suffer for the shooting industry. The completely legal use of snares by gamekeepers is also responsible for the deaths of countless wild (and sometimes domestic) animals.
If you’re as outraged as I am that these barbaric devises are still legal, contact the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Caroline Spelman to call for a complete ban on the manufacture sale and use of snares.