Report reveals illegal killing remains
‘significant threat' to birds of prey
November 2012. Illegal shooting, trapping, nest
destruction and poisoning continue to pose a significant threat to Scotland's
birds of prey, according to the latest annual report by RSPB Scotland, covering
2011.
The Illegal Killing of Birds of Prey in Scotland
in 2011
The report, The Illegal Killing of Birds of Prey in Scotland in 2011, revealed that, as in previous years, some of the country's rarest bird of prey species continue to be the victims of wildlife crimes such as the illegal use of crow traps and the setting out of baits in the open, laced with illegal and highly toxic chemicals.
The report, The Illegal Killing of Birds of Prey in Scotland in 2011, revealed that, as in previous years, some of the country's rarest bird of prey species continue to be the victims of wildlife crimes such as the illegal use of crow traps and the setting out of baits in the open, laced with illegal and highly toxic chemicals.
Reduced - But still an issue
Whilst the report acknowledged a decline in the number of detected poisoning incidents in comparison to the previous few years, in 2011 a total of 20 birds, including 4 red kites and a golden eagle were amongst those confirmed by Scottish Government testing to have been poisoned.
Whilst the report acknowledged a decline in the number of detected poisoning incidents in comparison to the previous few years, in 2011 a total of 20 birds, including 4 red kites and a golden eagle were amongst those confirmed by Scottish Government testing to have been poisoned.
Other incidents recorded by RSPB Scotland during
the year included a buzzard starved to death in a crow trap, a short-eared owl,
a Golden
eagle shot, a Golden eagle
trapped, two peregrines and three buzzards shot and a goshawk nest
destroyed.
Hen harriers and Golden eagles ‘disappearing'
The report also highlights the suspicious disappearances of nesting hen harriers and peregrines, and of golden eagles fitted with satellite transmitters by scientists studying their movements and survival.
The report also highlights the suspicious disappearances of nesting hen harriers and peregrines, and of golden eagles fitted with satellite transmitters by scientists studying their movements and survival.
As in recent years, the majority of incidents of
illegal killing took place in areas managed for driven grouse shooting,
particularly in the eastern and central Highlands and the southern Uplands of
Scotland.
Ian Thomson, RSPB Scotland's Head of
Investigations said "Many of these crimes were discovered purely by
chance, by walkers or birdwatchers, in remote areas of countryside, it's safe
to assume that many victims of illegal killing are not detected or reported.
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