Save these birds of prey

Photo: Wikimedia CommonsCrimes against birds of prey in 2008 were still unacceptably high and are impacting the populations of many of the UK's most iconic raptor species, according to a new report published by Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Scotland in the latest of its annual series on this key issue.

In 2008 there were 28 confirmed cases of illegal pesticide abuse killing or threatening birds of prey. Four further cases involved the possession of pesticides suspected to be for an illegal purpose.

Victims of the criminal activity included a white-tailed (sea) eagle, two red kites, 14 buzzards and three ravens. Forty two illegally set poisoned baits were also found in Scotland's countryside, with the potential of killing many other birds of prey as well as domestic animals, and posing a lethal risk to humans.

A further five buzzards and a red kite were found shot, and peregrines and hen harriers disappeared in circumstances that strongly suggested human interference.
Given the fact that many of these incidents take place in remote areas, where it is easy to conceal the evidence, it is likely these confirmed cases will undoubtedly represent a tiny fraction of the crimes perpetrated against some of our most highly protected and admired birds of prey.

These cases follow reports from members of the public to RSPB Scotland and to the Scottish Police, and reflect the significant concerns amongst the public about such activity.

RSPB has called on people in the countryside to pass on information about illegal activity to the police.

Duncan Orr-Ewing, head of species and land management for RSPB Scotland, said: “We know that illegal killing of birds of prey is having a serious impact on the populations of iconic species such as golden eagles and hen harriers. We welcome the broad consensus that has emerged from responsible landowners as well as conservation bodies, that such illegal practices are unacceptable and damaging not only to bird of prey populations, but also to the economy of Scotland and our international reputation. Birds of prey are national assets, with huge public, cultural and tourism appeal.”

“The Scottish government is currently implementing the Thematic Review of Wildlife Crime 2008, which made recommendations to improve the prevention, detection and enforcement of wildlife crime. Crime against birds of prey is now recognised as one of the police’s national wildlife crime priorities. We support the recommendation that there should be a full time Wildlife Crime Officer in every Scottish Police force, building on the existing good practice in some Scottish forces”.

Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, said: "While pleased that SASA’s 2008 figures show a decrease in confirmed pesticide poisonings in Scotland even one incident of deliberate, illegal poisoning would be one too many. It is shameful that some of our most iconic species continue to face illegal persecution.

“The Scottish Government takes wildlife crime extremely seriously and we fully recognise just how much effort this specialist field requires. When ‘Natural Justice’, the report on the thematic review of wildlife crime arrangements, was published in 2008 it gave clear direction to our work. We took on board the report’s recommendations and are working hard to implement the changes. An update to the report is expected this autumn.