Sunday 03 May 2015
Conservationists have reacted with dismay to the call from pigeon fanciers to be granted powers to trap and relocate protected species of birds of prey.
The Raptor Alliance, which represents 42,000 pigeon fanciers, has launched a lobby campaign seeking support from prospective parliamentary candidates for a change to the 1981 Wildlife Act. The proposed amendment to this key piece of conservation legislation would allow pigeon fanciers to apply for licences to relocate the protected species, which the Alliance says are responsible for the “devastating attacks” on racing pigeons and pigeon lofts that kill up to 30 birds a month.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has labelled the push to trap peregrine falcons and sparrow hawks as unscientific and says it flies in the face of conservation efforts.
Jeff Knott, head of nature policy at the RSPB, said: “The story of our recovering raptor numbers is a fantastic success story. It’s sad that not everyone in society is celebrating that. The number of racing pigeons taken by raptors is relatively small, with various studies showing most lofts of 70 birds only lose about five birds a year to peregrine falcons and sparrow hawks.”
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