RSPB calls for tougher regulation on grouse moors
CONSERVATIONISTS are calling for tougher regulation of grouse moors to end the persecution of raptors.
RSPB Scotland has published a report which it said details the clear associations between the decline or absence of these birds in some areas and intensive grouse moor management and wildlife crime, and is calling for action on the issue.
The study, titled The Illegal Killing Of Birds Of Prey In Scotland 2015-17, found that the vast majority of raptor persecution incidents occur in areas of Scotland’s uplands managed for intensive driven grouse shooting.
Over that three-year period there were 38 confirmed, detected incidents of illegal killing of protected birds of prey, including shooting, trapping, illegal poisoning and nest destruction; however, the report suggests the crimes being recorded are a fraction of what is actually taking place.
Also during those three years, five satellite-tagged hen harriers and eight satellite-tagged golden eagles “disappeared”, with 11 of those 13 incidents occurring on land managed for driven grouse shooting, the charity said.the RSPB questions whether wildlife protection legislation is fit for purpose and recommends that driven grouse shooting estates should be licensed, with the right to shoot dependent on “legal, sustainable management practices”.
Duncan Orr-ewing, RSPB Scotland’s head of species and land management, said: “Intensive grouse moor management is having a disproportionate impact on our important upland ecosystems and specially protected birds, and is blighting Scotland’s reputation as a place which respects vulnerable and protected wildlife. Self-regulation, voluntary codes of practice, and dialogue have all patently failed to address ystematic criminality.”
The Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) said it does not condone wildlife crime.
A spokesman said: “Whilst the SGA takes wildlife and raptor crime extremely seriously, we do not endorse the many unofficial RSPB reports. Official Scottish Government statistics, publicly available on Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture’s website, show a rate of decline in raptor persecution in recent years.”