Wildlife crime threatens tourism, says naturalist

TV presenter claims animal lovers will stay away

TV naturalist Chris Packham has warned Scottish tourism will suffer if greater action is not taken to tackle wildlife crime.

The campaigner, who was at the Ben Lawers nature reserve in Perthshire this weekend, described Scotland as “the jewel in the UK’s crown” when it comes to the diversity of its wildlife.

He said there was greater awareness of wildlife crime due to social media and predicted many bird and animal lovers would react by staying away.

Packham, who was in Scotland as part of his new “bioblitz” campaign, said: “Scotland is the jewel in the UK’s crown ... a Mecca when it comes to wildlife.

“In the golden eagle you’ve got an icon that is every schoolchild’s favourite bird. When I was a kid I fantasised about seeing a golden eagle and begged my parents for years to take me to Scotland.

“But it’s not just about the eagles, it’s about a sweep of wildlife in Scotland that is incredibly valuable to it ecologically and economically and people are beginning to understand that.

“Anything that damages the reputation of its care is disastrous for Scotland.

“You only have to go online and see that the more reactionary people will take that stance – they will say ‘forget it Scotland, until you sort your act out I’m not coming’, and that will grow and grow until this issue is sorted out.

“There is no question that Scotland needs to unify and address this issue. There has to be increasing pressure on the people of Scotland, and particularly those in business and government, to sort this out. It’s damaging the reputation of Scotland’s wildlife heritage.”

The Springwatch presenter was speaking after police made a public appeal for information earlier this summer following a spate of poisonings at Highland Perthshire estates.

Three working dogs and two birds of prey died in incidents in the Edradynate and Pitnacree areas.

In September 2017, Scottish National Heritage imposed strict sanctions on the 4,000-acre Edradynate site, near Aberfeldy, claiming crimes against wildlife were being committed on the land following the discovery of two poisoned buzzards.

The estate’s general licences to control wild birds, by shooting or trapping, were effectively revoked for three years.

A spokesman for the Edradynate estate said it was workng closely with police following the most recent incidents.

Packham’s bioblitz campaign will see him visit 50 wildlife sites across the UK in 10 days, building snapshots of how nature is faring and speaking to conservationists “at a grassroots level”.

Picture: PA. Chris Packham is in Scotland for his UK Bioblitz campaign to promote tackling wildlife crime.