And so the appalling carnage continues ....
It’s a difficult read but everyone should look at this in order to understand that these sickening Victorian crimes are still being carried out today. Hats off to the hard working team at RSPB Investigations. https://t.co/YVWRzQZdpy
— Iolo Williams (@IoloWilliams2) November 15, 2022
There were 108 confirmed incidents of illegal persecution of birds of prey across Britain in 2021 according to the annual Birdcrime report published by the RSPB.
England’s tally of 80 confirmed persecution incidents was the second highest figure since records began in 1990 after an unprecedented surge in wildlife crime during the Covid-19 pandemic year of 2020. That year, a record 137 known incidents of bird of prey persecution were logged by the RSPB with lockdowns seemingly creating an increased opportunity to kill raptors without detection.
Although the total fell in 2021, it was still higher than in previous years with 85 confirmed persecution incidents in 2019, 87 in 2018 and 64 in 2015.
According to the RSPB, 71% of all confirmed incidents in 2021 related to land managed for game bird shooting. Birds of prey are persecuted and killed because they are perceived to be a threat to the stocks of pheasants, partridges and Red Grouse.
Mark Thomas, the UK Head of Investigations for the RSPB said:
“The data in this report clearly show that raptor persecution remains
at a sustained high level. The illegal shooting, trapping and poisoning of
birds of prey has no place in modern society. In a nature and climate
emergency, the deliberate destruction of protected species for financial gain
is completely devastating and unacceptable.”
The total in 2021 includes 50 Common Buzzards, 16 Red Kites, 7 Peregrines and 3 Goshawks.
Two of the worst counties in 2021 were Norfolk (13 incidents) and Dorset
(12 incidents), both lowland areas where pheasant and partridge shoots are
commonplace.
A UN assessment of UK wildlife crime requested by the Government last year recommended stronger regulation of the shooting industry.
The RSPB and many other organisations and individuals are calling for the licensing of driven grouse moors to regulate estates where illegal persecution and killing of birds of prey and wildlife occurs. The Scottish Government is currently consulting on a new law to license grouse moors.
Beccy Speight, the Chief Executive of the RSPB, said: “The United Nations report makes clear what must be done to end these wildlife crimes and we call on the new Government in Westminster and Governments around the UK to act and pave the way towards a sustainable future, respectful of the law.”
#DefendNature .... Please help save and enhance our laws that protect our environment and wildlife
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Stay safe, stay well, stay strong, stay connected with nature
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