Author: RaptorPersecutionUK

Tetra Pak heiress accuses lairds of killing golden eagles

Today’s Daily Telegraph newspaper (Sat 12/03/2011) carries the story of wealthy heiress Sigrid Rausing, the owner of Coignafearn Estate in the Monadhliath mountains, who accuses lairds and their gamekeepers of killing golden eagles in Scotland because they believe it is a “victimless crime”.

In an intelligent and well informed attack on Victorian attitudes to land ownership and management,  Dr Rausing told The Daily Telegraph that many owners of sporting estates took the view that “they own the land, and no one has the right to interfere”. She went on to say, ” On the other hand most landowners are in receipt of quite substantial grants.  There is no reason why the public should pay grants to landowners whose philosophy of land management is hostile to the whole idea that the public has a right to intervene.”

Sigrid Rausing, a philanthropist and publisher who is the daughter of Hans Rausing, the Swedish billionaire whose father built the Tetra Pak packaging empire, is a breath of fresh air in Scottish highland estate ownership. When she took over the estate one of her first actions was to ban the estate keepers from killing raptors and introduce policies at Coignafearn to incorporate a “traditional model of a sporting estate within a conservation model” to prove it is possible to “transcend the hostility between the two ways of viewing land ownership.”

Dr Rausing certainly has not let the grass grow under her feet since she has taken over at Coignafearn as far as encouraging eagles is concerned. Four artificial golden eagle eyries have been built in locations where the birds used to breed and two have been “built up” by immature eagles, but so far no breeding pair has returned.  Dr Rausing has stated the most likely reason is that “individuals have flown over the estate boundary and been killed on other estates”. She added: “The food supply and habitat on Coignafearn is excellent for eagles, with plenty of red grouse, blue hares and red deer grallochs. We also protect blue hares on the estate. At any one time, probably up to ten to 12 juvenile, immature and sub-adult golden eagles might be present on the estate.”

Sigrid Rausing, we applaud your enlightened attitude and congratulate you on your actions to encourage a truly balanced habitat on your estate .

Telegraph article here – http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/8376111/Tetra-Pak-heiress-accuses-lairds-of-killing-golden-eagles.html

Peregrine Found Shot Dead in Lincoln

Police are investigating after a one-year-old peregrine falcon was found shot dead in Lincoln.

The falcon, which was killed by shotgun wounds, was recovered from Brayford Pool in the city.

It was unclear at first how the bird died, but post-mortem results have confirmed it was shot, Lincolnshire Police said.

Full Story Here – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-12682039

Wishy Washy WANE Bill

We can expect to see more images like this in the coming years

The long-debated WANE Bill (Wildlife and Natural Environment [Scotland] Bill) was finally passed by the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 2nd March 2011. Talk about a missed opportunity to crack down on an industry that continues to flout the law when it comes to wildlife crime! “The Scottish Government is not prepared to tolerate continued persecution of our magnificent birds of prey. This government is prepared to act to introduce new measures to combat wildlife crime”, said a pig as it flew over Inverness Police Station.

A concise overview of how the final Bill relates to the continuing illegal persecution of our so-called protected raptors can be found here:

http://www.scottishraptorgroups.org/news.php

While some aspects of the new Bill are to be welcomed, including the introduction of vicarious liability, other measures that could have had a greater impact were refused. One such measure, estate licensing, was turned down in favour of allowing the sporting estates an opportunity to introduce voluntary self-regulation. This manifests itself in the form of the ‘Wildlife Estates Initiative’, dreamt up by the SRPBA in the later stages of the WANE Bill proceedings when it looked like they were under threat from the introduction of a licensing system. Who believes that this ‘initiative’ will work? Isn’t it crystal clear, after five decades of systematic raptor persecution, that the shooting industry has proven itself incapable of voluntary self-regulation? Will the new ‘initiative’ be as lacking in credibility as their May 2010 letter to the Environment Minister that 200+ estate owners signed to say that they opposed raptor poisoning? (The same letter that proved to be highly embarrassing just a few weeks later when multiple poisoned raptors were found on Moy Estate, one of the letter’s signatories). We look forward to watching how their latest ‘initiative’ rolls out, and particularly whether they actually publicise the names of the estates that have signed up to it (information that they have so far failed to make public). If they wish to be taken seriously then transparency will be essential.

In summary, there is as much chance of the current WANE Bill being an effective deterrent to illegal raptor persecution as there is of the SGA opening a wildlife sanctuary. However, full credit should go to Peter Peacock MSP for doing his utmost to secure a safe future for our declining raptor populations. He will be sorely missed when he steps down from politics in May, although we are pleased to note that he intends to lobby his colleagues from the sidelines. RSPB Scotland and the SRSGs also deserve credit for their lobbying efforts throughout the WANE Bill process. Some credit should be given to Roseanna Cunningham for sticking to her guns on the vicarious liability issue, although she loses points for stamping all over some of the other proposals that really could have made a difference.

As we approach the Scottish elections in May, you may want to know how your MSP voted on the raptor persecution issue during the WANE Bill. Check out the official report here:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/apps2/business/orsearch/ReportView.aspx?r=6146&mode=html#iob_55286

Songbird Survival hints at experimental raptor cull

In a move that will not surprise anyone who understands the history and background of those involved with the pressure group Gamebird Songbird Survival, their Policy Director Keith McDougall has suggested that in the future, Gamebird Songbird Survival might extend its current experimental cull of corvids to a cull of birds of prey: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12634698

Idiots. If you want to read about the ‘science’ that this group uses to justify its thinly-disguised anti-raptor stance (especially their notion that reintroducing white-tailed eagles to East Anglia would decimate the local songbird population – because oh yes, sea eagles are well known for their dietary preference of songbirds), check out their website and read their newsletters – always worth a good laugh: http://www.songbird-survival.org.uk/index.html

And then read Animal Aid’s fascinating report on who’s who at Gamebird Songbird Survival: http://www.againstcorvidtraps.co.uk/songbird_survival/bloodsports

Holkham Estate advertises for new head gamekeeper

Former Holkham Estate Head Gamekeeper Nicholas Parker’s employers have advertised for a new head keeper in the 2 March edition of the Shooting Times.

Many thanks to the contributor who sent us this copy of the Shooting Times jobs page.

Now we are One!

Today marks one year since we started this blog. Thank you to everyone who has helped to make it such a big hit – our readers, subscribers, contributors, funders and supporters. Thanks also to those who have tried to silence us – you have made us all the more determined to continue. Here’s to year two!

Update on Holkham Estate head keeper’s pending court case

Further to blog posts on 25 January and 11 February….

Nicholas Parker, head gamekeeper on the Holkham Estate in Norfolk was due in court this morning to face a number of charges relating to alleged wildlife and firearms offences carried out on the Holkham Estate. His case was originally due to have been heard on 9 February 2011, which was then postponed until 2 March 2011.

Parker has pleaded not guilty to some of the charges, and, given the seriousness of these charges, his case has now been adjourned until 1 April 2011 as it has been moved to Norwich Magistrate’s Court where his case will be heard by a more senior District Judge.

We were wrong – 2,314 hen harriers not missing from Scotland….

….the latest total has now increased up to 2,602 missing hen harriers in Scotland, according to the latest research!

You may recall (see blog posts 23 Jan & 19 Feb) that in the recently published Hen Harrier Framework Report, the potential hen harrier population in Scotland was estimated to be within the range of 1,505 – 1,790 breeding pairs (3,010 – 3,580 individuals). Also included in the Framework report were the results of the 2004 National Hen Harrier Survey, which found that only 633 pairs were present in Scotland – a shortfall of up to 2,314 birds. The Framework report was heavily criticised by various grouse-shooting interest groups (yawn), who were particularly upset that the Framework report had relied upon the results of the 2004 survey and not on a more up-to-date survey. Be careful what you wish for – the results of the 2010 National Hen Harrier Survey have just been analysed and guess what? The population was even lower in 2010 than it was in 2004. No surprise there then.

According to the 2010 Survey, the Scottish population has declined by another 22.7% in the space of six short years, and is now a pathetic 489 breeding pairs – this means that between 1,016 – 1,301 pairs (2,032 – 2,602 individuals) are now missing.

As today sees the final stage of the WANE Bill debate in the Scottish Parliament, you’d better hope that your MSPs recognise the cause (grouse-shooting) and effect (a continually declining hen harrier population) of this disgraceful situation and vote to accept the proposed new measures to bring to justice those who continue to illegally decimate our natural heritage. We will report on the outcome of the votes in due course.

Article on the 2010 National Hen Harrier Survey here: http://www.scottishraptorgroups.org/news.php

BBC news story here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-12617877

Suspected Buzzard Poisoning on Mountquhanie Estate, Fife

POLICE in Fife are investigating the suspected poisoning of a buzzard north of Cupar.

The bird of prey was found dead by a member of the public close to Lewes Wood on the Mountquhanie Estate near Hazelton Walls.

It has been sent for post-mortem examination to confirm the cause of death and identify any poison that may have been used.

PC Ian Laing, Fife Constabulary’s wildlife and environmental crime co-ordinator, said: “Fortunately, Fife has not experienced raptor poisoning as much as other areas, but this case is a concern.

“Once we have confirmed the cause of death, we will be able to look at the potential source of any poisons used with a view to tracing those responsible.”

Kath Leys, area operations manager with Scottish Natural Heritage, added: “We’re very concerned about this suspected poisoning case in Fife.

“Buzzards may be fairly common nowadays, but they’re beautiful birds which are an important part of biodiversity.”

Full story here –

http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/local-headlines/fife_police_probe_buzzard_poisoning_1_1459717

New specialist prosecutors to be appointed – historic or rhetoric?

The prosecution of wildlife and environmental crime is to be enhanced by the appointment of a team of full-time prosecutors, the Solicitor General Frank Mulholland QC has announced.

A team of three specialists will investigate, mark and prosecute all cases involving crimes against wildlife and the environment in Scotland. Their remit will also include cases of animal cruelty.

The team will be managed by Tom Dysart, Area Procurator Fiscal for Ayrshire, who currently leads the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) in this area of law.

They will be supported by Alex Prentice QC, Assistant Principal Advocate Depute. He was appointed Crown Counsel for wildlife cases in February 2010 and will present the Crown case in any criminal appeals.

The appointment of full-time specialists builds on work already undertaken by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to tackle wildlife crime more effectively.

The specialists will be spread across Scotland, but will work together to share knowledge and experience of cases.

The Solicitor General, Frank Mulholland, QC, said:

“COPFS is committed to tackling crimes against Scotland’s precious wildlife and environment.

“Our network of wildlife and environmental prosecutors has already demonstrated the benefits of having specialists deal with this complex area of law.

“We are now appointing a team of three full-time specialists, who will continue to develop the skills and knowledge required to deal with these cases.

“Crimes against our wildlife and environment are important as they affect the environment in which we live, and the legacy we leave to future generations.

“We are aware that serious and organised crime groups may be becoming involved in environmental crime. The new team of prosecutors will work closely with COPFS civil recovery and criminal confiscation specialists.

“I am confident the new team will further enhance the working relationships we already have with investigating agencies, including the police and wildlife organisations.”

Blah blah blah. To read the rest of this press release, follow this link: http://www.crownoffice.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/02/New-team-specialist-prosecutors-be-appointed-handle-Wildlife-and-Environmental-Crime

It would be wonderful if we were all so naive as to believe the content of this press release, word for word. Sadly, I am a little bit too long in the tooth and have developed a somewhat cynical outlook. Interesting to note that the press release did not say WHEN this new team would be appointed. An oversight? Perhaps. Also interesting to note that the success of this new team will depend on the effective investigation of alleged wildlife crime crime offences by ALL the Scottish police forces. That’s not happening now, so why should we believe that will change anytime soon?

Also interesting to note that Alex Prentice QC, mentioned in the press release, has been in post for almost one year now – what measurable impact has he made on the effective prosecution of illegal raptor persecution after 12 months in office? Let’s see what happens with the Moy Estate and Skibo Estate cases – assuming, of course, that they will reach court, and that it will be this year…

Incidentally, a colleague has told me that the Glen Orchy poisoned eagle case was mentioned yesterday at the Scottish Police Wildlife Crime Conference held in Tulliallan. He told me that PC Charlie Everitt, the NWCU’s Investigative Support Officer mentioned it in his round-up of 2010 news. Apparently PC Everitt was using the case as an example of how busy/successful the NWCU has been this last year. He mentioned that the accused had been found guilty of possession of illegal firearms and that he’d received 300 hours community service as a punishment. Oh, three cheers for this “successful” outcome. No mention of the poisoned eagle, nor any forthcoming prosecution case for this criminal offence. Is it any wonder I’m cynical? I hope the COPFS prove me wrong.