Sarah Knapton, science
editor
1
NOVEMBER 2017 • 12:01AM
Police
failed to prosecute a single person for killing endangered birds of prey last
year, the RSPB has found, despite scores of deaths.
The
bird conservation charity estimates that at least 81 raptors were illegally
killed in 2016, but for the first time in 30 years no one was brought before
the courts.
In
its annual report, Birdcrime
2016, the RSPB discovered
that 40 birds of prey had been shot, 22 poisoned and 25 trapped, as well as
four other deaths.
However,
the charity has warned that the figures are just the tip of the iceberg with
many illegal killings going undetected or unreported.
Martin
Harper, RSPB Conservation Director, said: “Birds of prey bring our skies to
life. There is nothing like seeing a diving peregrine or a skydancing hen
harrier.
“The
sights of these spectacular birds are something we should all be able to enjoy,
unfortunately illegal activity is stopping this and preventing the birds from
flourishing. There are laws in place to protect these birds but they are
clearly not being put into action.
No comments:
Post a Comment