The recent discovery of the bodies of five dead young Goshawks dumped in a wood in Suffolk drew an instant response that shooting estates and their gamekeeper employees were likely to be involved.
Hi Carolyn. Thanks for commenting. Spot on. It is horrific and barbaric. The government claims there is legislation which protects birds of prey, that shooting birds for 'sport' is a lawful activity, and 'rotten apples' are the industry's problem not their's. That's partly true. There is legislation but it's poorly enforced and easily ignored on large estates where there there is little or no police oversight. Shooting birds for fun isn't sporting and incompatible with pledges to restore biodiversity and halt raptor persecution. And I think we've long realised now that the entire barrel is rotten through and through. The government won't stop this sort of wildlife crime, I'm afraid it's up to the rest of us, putting pressure on the shooting industry by proving to the vast majority of the public (most of whom have no idea what is going on) why it matters and why it must be stopped.
Hi Pat. Thanks for commenting. The government (of all colours to be fair) have done very little to halt raptor persecution. We have decent legislation but very little enforcement (and we all know how police numbers have been slashed along with staff numbers at Natural England). Wildlife crimes are still not 'notifiable' so don't count towards official statistics (which determine funding and focus) meaning they are not a priority. 'Statements' from the shooting industry are still parroted and largely not questioned by the national media (though that is changing). And a depressing number of ministers still get their 'facts' straight from shooting lobby groups like BASC and the Countryside Alliance. We are making progress though. There are small but important changes in language from some of our larger conservation organisations. The public (and for most people this issue is still of no interest at all) are beginning to understand why birds of prey are being killed (solely to ensure higher numbers of pheasants, partridges, and grouse are available to shoot). And the biodversity and climate crises are (finally) making more people than ever before ask whether maintaining monocultures just so a few people with guns can kill birds for fun is how we should be heading into a very uncertain future. It's difficult and it can be frustrating, but we can make change happen and we fully intend to keep trying!
Horrific and Barbaric. When will the Government stop it.
Hi Carolyn. Thanks for commenting. Spot on. It is horrific and barbaric. The government claims there is legislation which protects birds of prey, that shooting birds for 'sport' is a lawful activity, and 'rotten apples' are the industry's problem not their's. That's partly true. There is legislation but it's poorly enforced and easily ignored on large estates where there there is little or no police oversight. Shooting birds for fun isn't sporting and incompatible with pledges to restore biodiversity and halt raptor persecution. And I think we've long realised now that the entire barrel is rotten through and through. The government won't stop this sort of wildlife crime, I'm afraid it's up to the rest of us, putting pressure on the shooting industry by proving to the vast majority of the public (most of whom have no idea what is going on) why it matters and why it must be stopped.
So sad, when will the government really do something. Absolutely appalling.
Hi Pat. Thanks for commenting. The government (of all colours to be fair) have done very little to halt raptor persecution. We have decent legislation but very little enforcement (and we all know how police numbers have been slashed along with staff numbers at Natural England). Wildlife crimes are still not 'notifiable' so don't count towards official statistics (which determine funding and focus) meaning they are not a priority. 'Statements' from the shooting industry are still parroted and largely not questioned by the national media (though that is changing). And a depressing number of ministers still get their 'facts' straight from shooting lobby groups like BASC and the Countryside Alliance. We are making progress though. There are small but important changes in language from some of our larger conservation organisations. The public (and for most people this issue is still of no interest at all) are beginning to understand why birds of prey are being killed (solely to ensure higher numbers of pheasants, partridges, and grouse are available to shoot). And the biodversity and climate crises are (finally) making more people than ever before ask whether maintaining monocultures just so a few people with guns can kill birds for fun is how we should be heading into a very uncertain future. It's difficult and it can be frustrating, but we can make change happen and we fully intend to keep trying!