Chris Monk
Well-known member
From The Scotsman:
Birds of prey still at risk despite new laws
JOHN ROSS
BIRDS of prey continue to be under threat from illegal poisoning, shooting and trapping despite new laws designed to tackle the problem.
An RSPB Scotland report says attempts to prosecute are often hampered by lack of resources for wildlife law enforcement and failures of the court system. It says crime against birds of prey is also undermining conservation efforts and Scotland's international obligations to provide proper protection.
The organisation has called for the Association of Chief Constables in Scotland to support the appointment of full-time wildlife crime officers in each Scottish force.
In its 11th report on bird of prey persecution, the RSPB says it received 80 allegations or reports of poisoning in 2004 - compared with 63 in 2003 and 25 in 1999. The Scottish Agricultural Science Agency confirmed 35 incidents of birds being illegally poisoned.
Buzzards were the most common victim, with 40 found dead. Three red kites, three peregrine falcons and a goshawk also died from poisoning in 2004. There were 16 incidents of birds caught in illegal traps, being shot or having nests destroyed. Victims included peregrine falcons, buzzards, long and short-eared owls, sparrowhawks and kestrels.
The report says that eliminating the predators of game on shooting estates was a routine procedure in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but "practices are still firmly entrenched amongst a proportion of Scotland's 21st century land managers".
The RSPB says despite schemes, backed by the Scottish Executive, to combat wildlife crime, few cases come to court because many of the crimes happen in remote areas and are unlikely to be detected.
Birds of prey still at risk despite new laws
JOHN ROSS
BIRDS of prey continue to be under threat from illegal poisoning, shooting and trapping despite new laws designed to tackle the problem.
An RSPB Scotland report says attempts to prosecute are often hampered by lack of resources for wildlife law enforcement and failures of the court system. It says crime against birds of prey is also undermining conservation efforts and Scotland's international obligations to provide proper protection.
The organisation has called for the Association of Chief Constables in Scotland to support the appointment of full-time wildlife crime officers in each Scottish force.
In its 11th report on bird of prey persecution, the RSPB says it received 80 allegations or reports of poisoning in 2004 - compared with 63 in 2003 and 25 in 1999. The Scottish Agricultural Science Agency confirmed 35 incidents of birds being illegally poisoned.
Buzzards were the most common victim, with 40 found dead. Three red kites, three peregrine falcons and a goshawk also died from poisoning in 2004. There were 16 incidents of birds caught in illegal traps, being shot or having nests destroyed. Victims included peregrine falcons, buzzards, long and short-eared owls, sparrowhawks and kestrels.
The report says that eliminating the predators of game on shooting estates was a routine procedure in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but "practices are still firmly entrenched amongst a proportion of Scotland's 21st century land managers".
The RSPB says despite schemes, backed by the Scottish Executive, to combat wildlife crime, few cases come to court because many of the crimes happen in remote areas and are unlikely to be detected.