'Can
there be any justification for shooting a linnet, bullfinch or wren? Who
in their right mind requests permission to shoot a skylark?'
Wildlife
lovers are in uproar after officials in charge of nature-protection
gave gun owners permission to shoot dead some of Britain’s most treasured and
rarest bird species.
Welsh conservation chiefs
gave the go-ahead for the slaughter of dozens of species including kestrels,
curlew, linnets, sparrows and fieldfares. More than 1,000 birds may
have been killed under the permits.
The
revelation comes days after nature fans posted furious objections over similar
licences granted in England to kill thousands of endangered
birds from dozens of species – ranging from skylarks and
lapwings to rare species such as meadow pipits and oyster-catchers.
They also
included garden favourites wrens, robins and bullfinches.
Many of
the species are on the RSPB red and amber lists, meaning they are of
the highest or critical conservation priority. They may be globally threatened
with extinction, in severe decline or rare breeders.
Environmentalists
condemned the decisions as “appalling”, a “horror story” and “wanton, mindless
destruction”.
But
officials said the permits were handed out for air safety, public health and
safety and to prevent serious damage to livestock.
Natural
England, which says it promotes nature conservation,
issued permits over the past three years between 2015 and 2018 to shoot at
least 40 species, including the skylark,
blackbird, great tit, bullfinch, robin, wren, red
kite, moorhen, mute swan, kestrel, peregrine falcon and golden plover.
Natural
Resources Wales, which states that it “maintains and enhances biodiversity”,
issued 73 licences to kill at least 20 species, including the linnet, redwing,
song thrush, mistle thrush, meadow pipit, lapwing and skylark.
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