Well finally, on behalf of the Scottish Government, SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture) has published the poisoning figures from the second quarter of 2011 (covering the period from April to June), and guess what? More raptors were illegally poisoned during this period. Seems a bit of a coincidence that these figures have been published four months late and on the very day that people were encouraged to make a Freedom of Information request to SASA to obtain the 2011 poisoning data. Nevertheless, the publication of these data is still welcome and provides us with cold hard facts about the continuing illegal poisoning of our native species.
The latest report shows that there were three confirmed ‘abuse’ incidents during this period, including:
April 2011: 1 x buzzard poisoned by Aldicarb & Carbofuran (Highland region)
May 2011: 1 x raven poisoned by Carbofuran (Dumfries & Galloway)
May 2011: 1 x red kite poisoned by Bendiocarb & Carbofuran (Highland)
All three incidents are reported to be the subject of on-going police investigations. How many of these were reported in the media at the time of the incidents? These latest figures can now be added to the figures from the first quarter (Jan – Mar 2011 – see here) to show that in the first half of this year the following have been confirmed poisoned by illegal pesticides:
4 x buzzards; 1 x golden eagle; 2 x red kites; 2 x peregrines; 1 x raven.
And of course these are only the ones that have been discovered. And the figures do not include all the other incidents of non-poisoning persecution reported this year (e.g. shot goshawks here, shot peregrine here), nor the suspected poisoning incidents that were not included in the earlier SASA report (see here), nor the birds reported to have been poisoned since June (e.g. see here). It is clear that the widespread problem of illegal raptor persecution still exists, despite the (now apparently premature) comments from the game-shooting industry that this criminal behaviour has been eradicated. It clearly hasn’t been eradicated, but have the numbers dropped? Given the chronic delays in reporting these incidents in the media, we’ll have to wait for the next two SASA reports before that assessment can be made.
I wonder how long will we have to wait until the figures from the 3rd quarter (July – Sept) are released? If their publication is as late as this current one, we can expect to see them in four months time (February 2012). Perhaps that FoI request is still worth pursuing after all..
Latest SASA figures available for download here.
Raptor Persecution UK 
I find it extremely hard to believe that SASA would withhold information necessitating a demand for FOI. At no time have the game shooting industry said that persecution was eradicated. Of course persecution still exists, but surely it will happen less and less as peer pressure grows and grows? It is equally frustrating for all of us that abuse and the use of illegal Carbofuren continues. Tempting though it might be to simply point a finger at any hapless landowner or farmer on who’s land a proven abuse case has been found, it immediately creates guilt by association. This is why SASA uses the phrase, ongoing police investigations while the police get on with the job of building evidence which will hopefully lead to a prosecution. I presume you have asked SASA to explain why they took so long to release the results and when you could expect the next batch to be published?
Daye
If that is the case, then why doesn’t your organisation ever publicly expell any of it’s members who employ anyone [keeper] who is convicted of a wildlife crime.
I’m afraid the answer to this problem lies with the upper class moor owners and their uber rich shooting guests, it would be solved in an instant. Instead they fund and hide behind the SGA and NGO
Was the Moy shooting tennant who’s keeper was convicted in the summer publicly slammed by his peers? I think not, of course the young lad was working on his own initiative, so it was nothing to do with his boss, although he owned the lads; gun, landrover, house, shed !
Are we to believe that the underground trafficing of illeagal poisons is being orchestrated and funded by a bunch of teenage college student keepers, who under absolutely no insruction from their superiors, wage an illeagal war on birds of prey. I suppose they do this inconjunction with the eagle hating, atv riding foxes, as mentioned in an earlier post.
We are neatly back to the guilt by association issue supported by ramblings of conjecture. The answer lies with all of us working to win hearts and change minds at every level. This will take time. I understand your frustration and believe me, I share it, along with a great deal of embarrassment and shame. I do not however, share your enthusiasm to rush to judgements without due process. Innocent until proven guilty.
Daye
I am a young keeper, who although loving game shooting , have made a concious decision to work solely with deer, as I will not put myself into a situation where i feel forced to commit a crime.
I am no birder, anti or even rspb member, I am a working “wildlife manager”, I truly believe my generation will be the ones to make the BIG change, but at the moment I feel betrayed by the majority of headkeepers & owners, who can not see past their victorian views, egos and pay packets.
The estate owners are just as bad as the mp’s , bankers who will use money and power to keep themselves out of court. Minions like me will pay the price for a few extra grouse! I wish I could speak out more but I fear that if I did or my identity here were to be made known, I’d be working in super markets for the rest of my life
John, because you wish to hide your identity I have no way of knowing if you are indeed a genuine keeper. it would appear from your comments that your experience is very localised and very limited, so this reply is based on the assumption that you are, genuine and would run as follows:
Sharing intelligence is key to solving wildlife crime. However, more importantly for yourself, you are only a phone call, text or Facebook page away from a broader community of like minded peers. This will help to dispel any sense of isolation you may have and provide you with the comfort that you are not alone in your thinking.
You are exactly the sort of young professional who, along with other like minded colleagues, will indeed, through peer pressure eventually effect change to the remaining culture still existing across small but decreasing pockets of the keeper community.
I hope you are working with your local PAW group as many ( although we need more ) of your peers do at present. Through exchange of intelligence we are making a difference. Wildlife crime, deer poaching in particular, is linked to other forms of criminal behaviour and our police forces recognise this and so value the Partnerships. It is only through sound intelligence leading to evidence that our police forces can build a case.
With today’s technology we are only a text or phone call away from each other. In my area an alert warning can pass from one individual, to the Wildlife Crime Officer, then to our NFUS text messaging service and on to all local farmers in a few minutes. Sharing intelligence is key to solving wildlife crime issues.
Scottish Gamekeepers Association IS working hard to change the culture within its membership as are Scottish Land & Estates. However, constant criticism of the very organisations and members within who are genuinely driving change, is akin to constantly shooting the messenger and contributes nothing to the speed of change.
Daye
Your reply, has the usual blinkered kniave or at least the psuedo niavity of a factor or owner.
You know fine well, that breaking ranks will only result in discomunication. Do you expect 20yr old grouse keepers to go up against multi millionaire grouse moor owners! When the CLE & SGA wont!
Sorry, I’ll work with deer in the west.
You can see for the fact that I am a lone voice that, I have no support or at least none who will speak publicly. I’m not inferring that the majority are guilty, in fact I truly believe there is now only a minority. But the fear of breaking ranks is still there, if the owners wont, why should the keepers.
Leed from the top and show by example!
ps
My last post, as I will only stir things up, which is useless unless it is backed by fact.
Daye, not quite sure how peer pressure will work here in England, as the vast majority of grouse estates appear to persecute. This is based on where harriers disappear, peregrines routinely fail, short eared owls have become rare, you get the picture. Frankly you may well be trying with a few supporters amongst landowners and agents but any delivery? not so we would notice, when there is significant change we might take you seriously.