‘Untouchable’ grouse moor managers must be tackled, says charity

Tougher laws on running grouse moors must be introduced to stop the illegal slaughter of birds of prey, according to a new report from the RSPB.

The authors of The Illegal Killing of Birds of Prey in Scotland 2015-17 argue perpetrators of the killings are becoming increasingly adept at covering their tracks.

The Scottish Gamekeepers Association hit back at the charity, saying official figures showed a decline in raptor persecution.

The study claims the 38 confirmed incidents of illegal killing of protected birds of prey “are a fraction of what is actually taking place” and the deaths “are occurring in areas of Scotland’s uplands managed for intensive driven grouse shooting.”

The report’s authors claim evidence from police investigations, scientific research and witness accounts show shooting, trapping, illegal poisoning and nest destruction of birds are increasing.

The report puts pressure on environment secretary Roseanna Cunningham to introduce tougher laws as she waits for the results of a review into grouse moor management.

Ian Thomson, RSPB Scotland’s head of investigations, said there was clear and repeated evidence criminal activity was taking place.

“The grouse industry has not addressed this long-standing and endemic problem, instead we are seeing increasing signs of a culture where some grouse moor managers feel, and act, as if they are untouchable,” he added.

A spokesman for The Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) said it had withdrawn membership of six individuals in six years for wildlife crime offences.

“Whilst the SGA takes wildlife and raptor crime extremely seriously, we do not endorse the many unofficial RSPB reports.

“The latest figures show the lowest incidences of raptor crime on record so significant progress has been made.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said it would wait until the results of the review before considering further action.

An illegal trap set to kill a protected bird of prey.