December 2011. Police are appealing for information after one of North Scotland's most adventurous red kites was found poisoned in East Ayrshire.
Shortly after fledging on the Black Isle this summer, the young bird surprised RSPB Scotland staff by immediately flying two hundred miles in just a few days. A satellite transmitter fitted to its back, made it possible to trace the young bird's journey down the west coast of Scotland.
However, staff became concerned in September when transmissions showed that the bird had remained in the same place near Muirkirk for several days.
North Lowther Hills
It was later discovered dead close to the Muirkirk and North Lowther Hills Special Protection Area (SPA), an area of moorland that receives special legal protection because of its breeding bird of prey population.
Subsequent tests by the SASA government laboratory showed it had been poisoned by a banned pesticide.
RSPB Scotland Investigations Officer Ian Thomson said "The poisoning of this red kite is just the latest incident of bird of prey persecution in and around the SPA, particularly involving hen harriers and peregrines. The populations of hen harrier in particular are declining alarmingly in this area. Only a few years ago there were 21 pairs of hen harriers in the SPA; now we are down to a mere handful".
Enquiries by the police are continuing. Anyone with further information regarding this incident is urged to contact Strathclyde Police on 0141 532 2000, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/kite-poisoned.html
Showing posts with label illegal poisoning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label illegal poisoning. Show all posts
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
A century of protection for Britain's birds of prey but the poisoning goes on
128 cases of illegal poisoning last year alone
November 2011: Exactly a century ago, the barbaric acts of putting baits laced with deadly poisons out into the countryside to kill wildlife was outlawed. But a new RSPB report has revealed the practice remains a major threat to the UK's birds of prey.
Based on these shocking findings, the wildlife charity is calling on the UK government to outlaw the possession of these poisons in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Scottish Government has already put such measures in place.
The RSPB Birdcrime 2010 report reveals there were 128 reports of illegal poisoning in the UK, and the early figures for this year suggest a similar pattern. In 2010, 20 red kites, 30 buzzards, two goshawks, eight peregrines, five golden eagles, one white-tailed eagle and one sparrowhawk were found poisoned in the UK. The RSPB believes that the number of recorded incidents is way below the real figure.
This has been illegal for a centuryMartin Harper, the conservation director at the RSPB, said: ‘It has been illegal to poison birds of prey since 1911. But in a bizarre quirk, it is not illegal in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for individuals to possess some of the most deadly poisons, even though they have no legitimate use for them.'
The list of chemicals used to illegally poison birds of prey includes a host of agricultural pesticides, such as Carbofuran, Alphachloralose and Bendiocarb. The poisoner will usually douse the carcass of a pheasant, rabbit or a pigeon with the poison and leave the bait in a place where a bird of prey is likely to find it.
The RSPB is calling for the law to be enacted, which prevents individuals from having named poisons in their possession if they have no legal use for them. Martin added: ‘Our report shows there are a number of poisons commonly used to illegally poison wildlife for which those people responsible can have no legitimate use.'
Banned pesticides have not been listed by the GovenrmentThe previous Government accepted in 2006 that it was sensible to make it illegal for unauthorised people to possess these poisons, but despite the law being in place, the Government hasn't listed the banned pesticides. This is despite the controls being in place in Scotland since 2005, where police find it a very useful tool in the fight against wildlife crime as ten convictions have already been secured.
Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police Richard Crompton is the lead on wildlife crime for the Association of Chief Police Officers and said: ‘Of particular concern are those offences that target or involve birds of prey and which affect the conservation status of those birds and it is quite right that the police should consider such offending as a matter of priority.
‘The police service is absolutely committed to bringing those who commit wildlife crime to justice.'
I love seeing these magnificent birdsChris Dowse - the Farmers Weekly Countryside Farmer of the Year 2011 - is the manager of a 6,000-acre estate in Lincolnshire. He said: ‘I love seeing red kites and buzzards over the estate. Only a couple of decades ago that would have been impossible and the recovery of these species is a testament to what can be achieved when we all work together.
‘Anyone who persecutes birds of prey is not only breaking the law, they're preventing people seeing these magnificent birds and destroying the reputation of our entire community. All law-abiding gamekeepers and shooters should join me and step up with the RSPB to condemn anyone who breaks the law and kills birds of prey.'
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/poisoning-raptors.html#cr
November 2011: Exactly a century ago, the barbaric acts of putting baits laced with deadly poisons out into the countryside to kill wildlife was outlawed. But a new RSPB report has revealed the practice remains a major threat to the UK's birds of prey.
Based on these shocking findings, the wildlife charity is calling on the UK government to outlaw the possession of these poisons in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Scottish Government has already put such measures in place.
The RSPB Birdcrime 2010 report reveals there were 128 reports of illegal poisoning in the UK, and the early figures for this year suggest a similar pattern. In 2010, 20 red kites, 30 buzzards, two goshawks, eight peregrines, five golden eagles, one white-tailed eagle and one sparrowhawk were found poisoned in the UK. The RSPB believes that the number of recorded incidents is way below the real figure.
This has been illegal for a centuryMartin Harper, the conservation director at the RSPB, said: ‘It has been illegal to poison birds of prey since 1911. But in a bizarre quirk, it is not illegal in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for individuals to possess some of the most deadly poisons, even though they have no legitimate use for them.'
The list of chemicals used to illegally poison birds of prey includes a host of agricultural pesticides, such as Carbofuran, Alphachloralose and Bendiocarb. The poisoner will usually douse the carcass of a pheasant, rabbit or a pigeon with the poison and leave the bait in a place where a bird of prey is likely to find it.
The RSPB is calling for the law to be enacted, which prevents individuals from having named poisons in their possession if they have no legal use for them. Martin added: ‘Our report shows there are a number of poisons commonly used to illegally poison wildlife for which those people responsible can have no legitimate use.'
Banned pesticides have not been listed by the GovenrmentThe previous Government accepted in 2006 that it was sensible to make it illegal for unauthorised people to possess these poisons, but despite the law being in place, the Government hasn't listed the banned pesticides. This is despite the controls being in place in Scotland since 2005, where police find it a very useful tool in the fight against wildlife crime as ten convictions have already been secured.
Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police Richard Crompton is the lead on wildlife crime for the Association of Chief Police Officers and said: ‘Of particular concern are those offences that target or involve birds of prey and which affect the conservation status of those birds and it is quite right that the police should consider such offending as a matter of priority.
‘The police service is absolutely committed to bringing those who commit wildlife crime to justice.'
I love seeing these magnificent birdsChris Dowse - the Farmers Weekly Countryside Farmer of the Year 2011 - is the manager of a 6,000-acre estate in Lincolnshire. He said: ‘I love seeing red kites and buzzards over the estate. Only a couple of decades ago that would have been impossible and the recovery of these species is a testament to what can be achieved when we all work together.
‘Anyone who persecutes birds of prey is not only breaking the law, they're preventing people seeing these magnificent birds and destroying the reputation of our entire community. All law-abiding gamekeepers and shooters should join me and step up with the RSPB to condemn anyone who breaks the law and kills birds of prey.'
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/poisoning-raptors.html#cr
Saturday, November 5, 2011
RSPB urges crackdown on poisons
The RSPB is calling for the possession of poisons used to illegally kill wildlife to be outlawed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The charity says laws are already in place in Scotland but need to be tightened in the rest of the country.
It says there were 128 reports of birds of prey poisoned in the UK last year.
The government says strict measures are in place to stop the persecution of birds of prey and many of the pesticides used are illegal.
The RSPB figures are lower than the previous year - when 153 reports were received - but contain several, what the conservationists call, "very serious" incidents.
These include the first poisoning in living memory of a golden eagle in Northern Ireland.
The RSPB Birdcrime 2010 report lists 20 red kites, 30 buzzards, two goshawks, eight peregrines, five golden eagles, one white-tailed eagle and one sparrow-hawk that were found poisoned.
And it believes the true number could be much higher as many incidents go unreported.
Under laws brought in in 2006, it is already illegal in England and Wales to possess certain pesticides which are harmful to wildlife, unless the owner can prove they have them for a lawful purpose.
However, a list of which substances are controlled in this way has not been published. The RSPB says this renders the law "impotent".
In Northern Ireland a similar law has just been brought in but again no list of chemicals has been published.
In Scotland, where the controls have been in place since 2005 and a list of banned pesticides has been produced, the RSPB says 10 convictions have been secured under the rules.
The Conservation Director of the RSPB, Martin Harper, said: "If this government is serious about tackling illegal persecution of birds of prey, it really needs to start taking meaningful action.
"Putting additional controls on the possession of these common wildlife poisons would be a relatively easy first step, especially as these controls would not affect legitimate pesticide uses."
Read on ...
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Peregrine poisoned by pesticides near Buckfastleigh
The poisoning of a bird of prey using a banned pesticide is being investigated in Devon.
The young female peregrine falcon was found at Whitecleaves Quarry near Buckfastleigh in July, but toxicology results have just been released.
It is the third such incident within a matter of weeks involving the banned pesticide carbofuran, the RSPB said.
Two peregrines were found in Cornwall just weeks after four goshawks and a buzzard died near Exeter.
Toxicology tests showed the Buckfastleigh peregrine also had aldicarb in its system - another banned pesticide.
The RSPB believes the poisoning was deliberate.
'Live bait'
All three cases are being investigated by Devon and Cornwall Police and the RSPB.
Peregrines at the Whitecleaves Quarry site have been targeted previously, with dead birds found in 1992, 2004 and 2005. On each occasion, the birds had been poisoned.
Wildlife conservationists have expressed concern over the presence of banned chemicals in the countryside.
Read more...
Monday, August 29, 2011
Poisoned pigeons used to kill wild buzzards
HAND-REARED live pigeons were coated in poison, tethered to the ground and used to kill two wild buzzards near the Tipperary-Offaly border, according to BirdWatch Ireland.
BirdWatch volunteers were horrified to discover the two dead buzzard chicks beside three poisonous tethered pigeons near Roscrea.
BirdWatch Ireland Development Officer Niall Hatch said the banned insecticide Carbofuran used to kill the buzzards is so toxic “a quarter of a teaspoonful is enough to kill a fully grown adult”.
“There is a really serious public safety issue here as well,” he said, “whoever is responsible for planting the poison took a real risk themselves”. Had the pigeons been found by children who attempted to rescue them, “you could be reporting on an even worse story today,” he added.
No motive has yet been established. Buzzards eat rabbits, crows, magpies, rats and mice. They will occasionally feed on a dead lamb, but are incapable of killing a lamb, said Mr Hatch.
An indigenous bird, the buzzard was absent in Ireland from the late 19th century until 1933, when a pair bred in Co Antrim. The species has spread slowly down from the north through the 20th century and is now established in almost every county in Ireland.
BirdWatch Ireland say this was a particularly abhorrent incident.
The live hand-reared pigeons were tethered to the ground s bait, their bodies coated with poison and their wings clipped to prevent any chance of escape.
A day after the dead buzzards were found last month, another live, poison-coated pigeon was discovered tethered in the same area.
The buzzards’ nest in Roscrea was being monitored by two young volunteers from BirdWatch Ireland’s Raptor Conservation Project since early spring. They had been charting the progress of the three young buzzard chicks.
One volunteer said: “we had been watching them all summer and it was sickening to see them killed like that for no reason”.
The farmer on whose land the birds were nesting said: “they have not caused me or any of the other farmers in the area any problems whatsoever. I gave nobody permission to come on my land and lay down poison, and whoever did so was trespassing,” he said.
In October 2010, laws were passed making it illegal to use poison to kill birds or animals, with the exception of rats and mice.
An investigation has been launched and anyone with information is urged to contact the National Parks and Wildlife Service on 057 91 37811 or Birr Garda station on 057 91 69710.
EOGHAN MacCONNELL
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0827/1224303061360.html
BirdWatch volunteers were horrified to discover the two dead buzzard chicks beside three poisonous tethered pigeons near Roscrea.
BirdWatch Ireland Development Officer Niall Hatch said the banned insecticide Carbofuran used to kill the buzzards is so toxic “a quarter of a teaspoonful is enough to kill a fully grown adult”.
“There is a really serious public safety issue here as well,” he said, “whoever is responsible for planting the poison took a real risk themselves”. Had the pigeons been found by children who attempted to rescue them, “you could be reporting on an even worse story today,” he added.
No motive has yet been established. Buzzards eat rabbits, crows, magpies, rats and mice. They will occasionally feed on a dead lamb, but are incapable of killing a lamb, said Mr Hatch.
An indigenous bird, the buzzard was absent in Ireland from the late 19th century until 1933, when a pair bred in Co Antrim. The species has spread slowly down from the north through the 20th century and is now established in almost every county in Ireland.
BirdWatch Ireland say this was a particularly abhorrent incident.
The live hand-reared pigeons were tethered to the ground s bait, their bodies coated with poison and their wings clipped to prevent any chance of escape.
A day after the dead buzzards were found last month, another live, poison-coated pigeon was discovered tethered in the same area.
The buzzards’ nest in Roscrea was being monitored by two young volunteers from BirdWatch Ireland’s Raptor Conservation Project since early spring. They had been charting the progress of the three young buzzard chicks.
One volunteer said: “we had been watching them all summer and it was sickening to see them killed like that for no reason”.
The farmer on whose land the birds were nesting said: “they have not caused me or any of the other farmers in the area any problems whatsoever. I gave nobody permission to come on my land and lay down poison, and whoever did so was trespassing,” he said.
In October 2010, laws were passed making it illegal to use poison to kill birds or animals, with the exception of rats and mice.
An investigation has been launched and anyone with information is urged to contact the National Parks and Wildlife Service on 057 91 37811 or Birr Garda station on 057 91 69710.
EOGHAN MacCONNELL
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0827/1224303061360.html
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Entire pride of desert lions wiped out by hunting and poison
Entire pride wiped out by hunting and poisoning
July 2011. In April 2001 four lions came walking into the Hoarusib River valley on Namibia's Skeleton Coast. The three adult males and one adult female came walking all the way in from the upper Barab River, two hundred and fifty kilometres to the south. It was the first time in thirteen years that lions had taken up residence in the Hoarusib River valley.
Mixed feelings
The human population received them with mixed emotions. Local tour operators were happy to have them back while the pastoral residents of Purros were up in arms. The lions got into trouble from the outset. Their first meal in the Hoarusib was the prized stud bull belonging to Headman Daniel Karotjaiva's, followed by several cows and donkeys.
Compensation scheme
Wilderness Safaris and other operators started a compensation scheme in order to ensure the survival of the lions. This was the start of an uneasy relationship between man and lion in the Hoarusib River.
The lions soon moved down river into the Skeleton Coast Park. Shortly after their arrival the female gave birth to two female cubs at the fresh water spring at the mouth of the Hoarusib River. These were the first cubs to be born in sight of the sea in the Park for more than a decade.
Oryx diet
During the dry season the lion remained within the boundaries of the Park. Large herds of oryx concentrated on the banks of the river where they were ambushed by the lions. The lions were safe within the boundaries of the Park.
The trouble started during the rainy season when the oryx dispersed to feed on the plains where the rain had fallen. It was difficult for the lions to hunt. They would then leave the Park and kill live stock around Purros village.
2002 - More cubs
In 2002 another two female cubs were born at the mouth of the river. These two females became the regular residents of the Hoarusib River for the next decade. They were often seen on safari.
These lionesses were closely monitored by Dr. Flip Stander of the Desert Lion Conservation Fund. They became known as Tawney and Morada; they were often visited by Leonardo, the dominant male.
Living in close proximity to humans
The lions became bolder as they grew older. They started frequenting the settled areas. Dr. Stander and Wilderness Safaris addressed the problem by creating a lion task force from local community members. A 4x4 vehicle was bought. The members were trained by Dr. Stander in the use of and given radio telemetry equipment. Now the local community could monitor the lions. If the lions came close to Purros the cattle could be herded out of the river. The telemetry equipment was also used by local guides to take tourists to the lions.
One of the main threats to the lions was that the community has got so used to living without lions for more than a decade, that they have stopped herding their cattle. Now with the lions back, they were reluctant to resume herding.
Problem lions
In the course of time the lions reared cubs. In 2009 things came to a head when Leonardo, Tawney and Morada and three sub adult cubs stayed at the villages of Purros and Okongombe Themba, killing donkeys and scaring people.
Translocation
In November 2009 Dr. Stander recruited the help of Wilderness Safaris again. Wilderness staff, vehicles, fuel and equipment was used to remove the lions from Purros. All six lions were translocated to Sarusas spring in the Skeleton Coast Park. When they returned eight days later, they were physically prevented from re-entering the village by Wilderness staff and the lion task force. However one of the females slipped through the lines to kill another donkey. She was immobilized again and taken to the Hoarusib mouth.
Hunting safari
After three weeks the lions left the vicinity of Purros and moved down river. The community thanked Dr. Stander and the Wilderness Safaris staff, saying that they acknowledge that people are concerned about their plight. Dr. Stander pleaded with them not to kill Leonardo, the breeding male. He asked that they rather shoot one of the younger males for compensation for their stock losses. This was done a few months later in a legal hunt.
Everyone felt that a breakthrough was made. It was a good example of cooperation by all parties, buying time for the lions. Dr. Stander estimated that the operation had cost Wilderness Safaris close to 100,000 Nam dollars.
Leonardo killed by hunter
All of this was made undone shortly afterwards when Leonardo the breeding male was killed by an independent hunter in controversial circumstances that created a media outcry. The other male was also later shot by herders when it wandered into a different conservancy.
Rest of the pride poisoned
That left only the two sisters, Tawney and Morada and a young female, Maya in the Hoarusib River. Their lives came to an end on Saturday 10 July 2011. They were killed by strychnine poisoning fifteen kilometres north of Purros. Strychnine is often used by stock owners to poison predators. One can only wonder who killed the lions.
Benefits and losses
For a decade a lot of people worked together to try and find a compromise between humans and lions in the Hoarusib River. For a decade the lions caused losses, but also brought benefits to the people in the valley.
Was their death inevitable? Could a solution be reached? Are we any closer to sustainable lion tourism in the Kunene Region? Are their still too many rogue elements around? Be as it may-the lions of the Hoarusib River are dead.
Leonardo's death
The shooting of Leonardo is surrounded by controversy. He was apparently shot by a hunter, Keith Wright, and his client, who only had a permit to shoot a female lion on a different conservancy.
Furthermore, Leonardo was carrying a large collar which marked him out as a ‘research' lion. We believe that the collar has never been recovered and that the hunter has been charged by the authorities over this incident.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/desert-lions.html#cr
July 2011. In April 2001 four lions came walking into the Hoarusib River valley on Namibia's Skeleton Coast. The three adult males and one adult female came walking all the way in from the upper Barab River, two hundred and fifty kilometres to the south. It was the first time in thirteen years that lions had taken up residence in the Hoarusib River valley.
Mixed feelings
The human population received them with mixed emotions. Local tour operators were happy to have them back while the pastoral residents of Purros were up in arms. The lions got into trouble from the outset. Their first meal in the Hoarusib was the prized stud bull belonging to Headman Daniel Karotjaiva's, followed by several cows and donkeys.
Compensation scheme
Wilderness Safaris and other operators started a compensation scheme in order to ensure the survival of the lions. This was the start of an uneasy relationship between man and lion in the Hoarusib River.
The lions soon moved down river into the Skeleton Coast Park. Shortly after their arrival the female gave birth to two female cubs at the fresh water spring at the mouth of the Hoarusib River. These were the first cubs to be born in sight of the sea in the Park for more than a decade.
Oryx diet
During the dry season the lion remained within the boundaries of the Park. Large herds of oryx concentrated on the banks of the river where they were ambushed by the lions. The lions were safe within the boundaries of the Park.
The trouble started during the rainy season when the oryx dispersed to feed on the plains where the rain had fallen. It was difficult for the lions to hunt. They would then leave the Park and kill live stock around Purros village.
2002 - More cubs
In 2002 another two female cubs were born at the mouth of the river. These two females became the regular residents of the Hoarusib River for the next decade. They were often seen on safari.
These lionesses were closely monitored by Dr. Flip Stander of the Desert Lion Conservation Fund. They became known as Tawney and Morada; they were often visited by Leonardo, the dominant male.
Living in close proximity to humans
The lions became bolder as they grew older. They started frequenting the settled areas. Dr. Stander and Wilderness Safaris addressed the problem by creating a lion task force from local community members. A 4x4 vehicle was bought. The members were trained by Dr. Stander in the use of and given radio telemetry equipment. Now the local community could monitor the lions. If the lions came close to Purros the cattle could be herded out of the river. The telemetry equipment was also used by local guides to take tourists to the lions.
One of the main threats to the lions was that the community has got so used to living without lions for more than a decade, that they have stopped herding their cattle. Now with the lions back, they were reluctant to resume herding.
Problem lions
In the course of time the lions reared cubs. In 2009 things came to a head when Leonardo, Tawney and Morada and three sub adult cubs stayed at the villages of Purros and Okongombe Themba, killing donkeys and scaring people.
Translocation
In November 2009 Dr. Stander recruited the help of Wilderness Safaris again. Wilderness staff, vehicles, fuel and equipment was used to remove the lions from Purros. All six lions were translocated to Sarusas spring in the Skeleton Coast Park. When they returned eight days later, they were physically prevented from re-entering the village by Wilderness staff and the lion task force. However one of the females slipped through the lines to kill another donkey. She was immobilized again and taken to the Hoarusib mouth.
Hunting safari
After three weeks the lions left the vicinity of Purros and moved down river. The community thanked Dr. Stander and the Wilderness Safaris staff, saying that they acknowledge that people are concerned about their plight. Dr. Stander pleaded with them not to kill Leonardo, the breeding male. He asked that they rather shoot one of the younger males for compensation for their stock losses. This was done a few months later in a legal hunt.
Everyone felt that a breakthrough was made. It was a good example of cooperation by all parties, buying time for the lions. Dr. Stander estimated that the operation had cost Wilderness Safaris close to 100,000 Nam dollars.
Leonardo killed by hunter
All of this was made undone shortly afterwards when Leonardo the breeding male was killed by an independent hunter in controversial circumstances that created a media outcry. The other male was also later shot by herders when it wandered into a different conservancy.
Rest of the pride poisoned
That left only the two sisters, Tawney and Morada and a young female, Maya in the Hoarusib River. Their lives came to an end on Saturday 10 July 2011. They were killed by strychnine poisoning fifteen kilometres north of Purros. Strychnine is often used by stock owners to poison predators. One can only wonder who killed the lions.
Benefits and losses
For a decade a lot of people worked together to try and find a compromise between humans and lions in the Hoarusib River. For a decade the lions caused losses, but also brought benefits to the people in the valley.
Was their death inevitable? Could a solution be reached? Are we any closer to sustainable lion tourism in the Kunene Region? Are their still too many rogue elements around? Be as it may-the lions of the Hoarusib River are dead.
Leonardo's death
The shooting of Leonardo is surrounded by controversy. He was apparently shot by a hunter, Keith Wright, and his client, who only had a permit to shoot a female lion on a different conservancy.
Furthermore, Leonardo was carrying a large collar which marked him out as a ‘research' lion. We believe that the collar has never been recovered and that the hunter has been charged by the authorities over this incident.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/desert-lions.html#cr
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Gamekeeper on Scottish estate convicted of placing poison bait
Infamous Leadhills Estate scene of another poisoning
November 2010. A gamekeeper formerly employed on the Leadhills Estate in South Lanarkshire has been convicted of laying a rabbit bait laced with the banned poison Carbofuran on an open hillside. Lewis Whitham, now of Skipton, North Yorkshire, appeared at Lanark Sheriff Court, and plead guilty to placing a poison bait, contrary to section 5 1 A of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. He was fined £800. The court heard that on 8th April 2009, Whitham was witnessed driving a quad bike on Braid Hill, near Leadhills. He was seen to stop the bike and take a dead rabbit off the back of it. This was staked to the ground and sprinkled with "a significant quantity" of Carbofuran.
‘Targeting crows'
In mitigation, the court was told that Whitham was trying to impress his employers but that there was a high population of crows in the area. He accepted that what he did was "quite wrong" and was fully aware that Carbofuran should not be used. He also accepted that the use of poison bait was indiscriminate. Sheriff Stewart said that gamekeepers have special responsibilities to the environment, and that this was contrary to the standards expected.
2009 worst year for recorded poisoning incidents
Bob Elliot, RSPB Scotland's Head of Investigations welcomed the conviction. "Cases of illegal poisoning are difficult to detect, but it is shameful that incidents like this continue to be discovered. 2009 was the worst year we have recorded for illegal poisoning incidents, but this only recognises those incidents that were actually found. These illegal and very toxic chemicals endanger some of our most iconic and protected species; the reckless and indiscriminate nature of these offences regularly kill birds such as red kites and golden eagles, as well as domestic pets, attracted to what is apparently a piece of carrion lying on a hillside."
New legislation
"The Scottish Government has recently announced an amendment to the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill, currently passing through the Scottish Parliament, which is designed to prosecute landowners who allow their employees to commit wildlife crime on their land, including illegal poisoning. We hope that this measure will be supported by all those who wish to see an end to the illegal killing of birds of prey in Scotland and it is strongly welcomed by RSPB Scotland".
Scottish Government figures released recently indicated that four golden eagles, a white-tailed eagle and five red kites have already fallen victim to illegal poisoning this year.
Leadhills was owned by Mark Osborne, whose estates have been linked to several incidents:
2004 Leadhills keeper fined £500 for shooting a short-eared owl.
2006 Wildlife inspectors and police launch dawn raid at Leadhills Estate
2003 Staff at Leadhills filmed shooting a Hen harrier and removing eggs from a nest
2006 Rabbit baits, 2 dead buzzards and traces of Carbofuran discovered at Leadhills.
There are several more documented incidents of raptor persecution on estates who have links to Osborne.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/leadhills-poison.html
November 2010. A gamekeeper formerly employed on the Leadhills Estate in South Lanarkshire has been convicted of laying a rabbit bait laced with the banned poison Carbofuran on an open hillside. Lewis Whitham, now of Skipton, North Yorkshire, appeared at Lanark Sheriff Court, and plead guilty to placing a poison bait, contrary to section 5 1 A of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. He was fined £800. The court heard that on 8th April 2009, Whitham was witnessed driving a quad bike on Braid Hill, near Leadhills. He was seen to stop the bike and take a dead rabbit off the back of it. This was staked to the ground and sprinkled with "a significant quantity" of Carbofuran.
‘Targeting crows'
In mitigation, the court was told that Whitham was trying to impress his employers but that there was a high population of crows in the area. He accepted that what he did was "quite wrong" and was fully aware that Carbofuran should not be used. He also accepted that the use of poison bait was indiscriminate. Sheriff Stewart said that gamekeepers have special responsibilities to the environment, and that this was contrary to the standards expected.
2009 worst year for recorded poisoning incidents
Bob Elliot, RSPB Scotland's Head of Investigations welcomed the conviction. "Cases of illegal poisoning are difficult to detect, but it is shameful that incidents like this continue to be discovered. 2009 was the worst year we have recorded for illegal poisoning incidents, but this only recognises those incidents that were actually found. These illegal and very toxic chemicals endanger some of our most iconic and protected species; the reckless and indiscriminate nature of these offences regularly kill birds such as red kites and golden eagles, as well as domestic pets, attracted to what is apparently a piece of carrion lying on a hillside."
New legislation
"The Scottish Government has recently announced an amendment to the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill, currently passing through the Scottish Parliament, which is designed to prosecute landowners who allow their employees to commit wildlife crime on their land, including illegal poisoning. We hope that this measure will be supported by all those who wish to see an end to the illegal killing of birds of prey in Scotland and it is strongly welcomed by RSPB Scotland".
Scottish Government figures released recently indicated that four golden eagles, a white-tailed eagle and five red kites have already fallen victim to illegal poisoning this year.
Leadhills was owned by Mark Osborne, whose estates have been linked to several incidents:
2004 Leadhills keeper fined £500 for shooting a short-eared owl.
2006 Wildlife inspectors and police launch dawn raid at Leadhills Estate
2003 Staff at Leadhills filmed shooting a Hen harrier and removing eggs from a nest
2006 Rabbit baits, 2 dead buzzards and traces of Carbofuran discovered at Leadhills.
There are several more documented incidents of raptor persecution on estates who have links to Osborne.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/leadhills-poison.html
Gamekeeper on Scottish estate convicted of placing poison bait
Infamous Leadhills Estate scene of another poisoning
November 2010. A gamekeeper formerly employed on the Leadhills Estate in South Lanarkshire has been convicted of laying a rabbit bait laced with the banned poison Carbofuran on an open hillside. Lewis Whitham, now of Skipton, North Yorkshire, appeared at Lanark Sheriff Court, and plead guilty to placing a poison bait, contrary to section 5 1 A of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. He was fined £800. The court heard that on 8th April 2009, Whitham was witnessed driving a quad bike on Braid Hill, near Leadhills. He was seen to stop the bike and take a dead rabbit off the back of it. This was staked to the ground and sprinkled with "a significant quantity" of Carbofuran.
‘Targeting crows'
In mitigation, the court was told that Whitham was trying to impress his employers but that there was a high population of crows in the area. He accepted that what he did was "quite wrong" and was fully aware that Carbofuran should not be used. He also accepted that the use of poison bait was indiscriminate. Sheriff Stewart said that gamekeepers have special responsibilities to the environment, and that this was contrary to the standards expected.
2009 worst year for recorded poisoning incidents
Bob Elliot, RSPB Scotland's Head of Investigations welcomed the conviction. "Cases of illegal poisoning are difficult to detect, but it is shameful that incidents like this continue to be discovered. 2009 was the worst year we have recorded for illegal poisoning incidents, but this only recognises those incidents that were actually found. These illegal and very toxic chemicals endanger some of our most iconic and protected species; the reckless and indiscriminate nature of these offences regularly kill birds such as red kites and golden eagles, as well as domestic pets, attracted to what is apparently a piece of carrion lying on a hillside."
New legislation
"The Scottish Government has recently announced an amendment to the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill, currently passing through the Scottish Parliament, which is designed to prosecute landowners who allow their employees to commit wildlife crime on their land, including illegal poisoning. We hope that this measure will be supported by all those who wish to see an end to the illegal killing of birds of prey in Scotland and it is strongly welcomed by RSPB Scotland".
Scottish Government figures released recently indicated that four golden eagles, a white-tailed eagle and five red kites have already fallen victim to illegal poisoning this year.
Leadhills was owned by Mark Osborne, whose estates have been linked to several incidents:
2004 Leadhills keeper fined £500 for shooting a short-eared owl.
2006 Wildlife inspectors and police launch dawn raid at Leadhills Estate
2003 Staff at Leadhills filmed shooting a Hen harrier and removing eggs from a nest
2006 Rabbit baits, 2 dead buzzards and traces of Carbofuran discovered at Leadhills.
There are several more documented incidents of raptor persecution on estates who have links to Osborne.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/leadhills-poison.html
November 2010. A gamekeeper formerly employed on the Leadhills Estate in South Lanarkshire has been convicted of laying a rabbit bait laced with the banned poison Carbofuran on an open hillside. Lewis Whitham, now of Skipton, North Yorkshire, appeared at Lanark Sheriff Court, and plead guilty to placing a poison bait, contrary to section 5 1 A of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. He was fined £800. The court heard that on 8th April 2009, Whitham was witnessed driving a quad bike on Braid Hill, near Leadhills. He was seen to stop the bike and take a dead rabbit off the back of it. This was staked to the ground and sprinkled with "a significant quantity" of Carbofuran.
‘Targeting crows'
In mitigation, the court was told that Whitham was trying to impress his employers but that there was a high population of crows in the area. He accepted that what he did was "quite wrong" and was fully aware that Carbofuran should not be used. He also accepted that the use of poison bait was indiscriminate. Sheriff Stewart said that gamekeepers have special responsibilities to the environment, and that this was contrary to the standards expected.
2009 worst year for recorded poisoning incidents
Bob Elliot, RSPB Scotland's Head of Investigations welcomed the conviction. "Cases of illegal poisoning are difficult to detect, but it is shameful that incidents like this continue to be discovered. 2009 was the worst year we have recorded for illegal poisoning incidents, but this only recognises those incidents that were actually found. These illegal and very toxic chemicals endanger some of our most iconic and protected species; the reckless and indiscriminate nature of these offences regularly kill birds such as red kites and golden eagles, as well as domestic pets, attracted to what is apparently a piece of carrion lying on a hillside."
New legislation
"The Scottish Government has recently announced an amendment to the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill, currently passing through the Scottish Parliament, which is designed to prosecute landowners who allow their employees to commit wildlife crime on their land, including illegal poisoning. We hope that this measure will be supported by all those who wish to see an end to the illegal killing of birds of prey in Scotland and it is strongly welcomed by RSPB Scotland".
Scottish Government figures released recently indicated that four golden eagles, a white-tailed eagle and five red kites have already fallen victim to illegal poisoning this year.
Leadhills was owned by Mark Osborne, whose estates have been linked to several incidents:
2004 Leadhills keeper fined £500 for shooting a short-eared owl.
2006 Wildlife inspectors and police launch dawn raid at Leadhills Estate
2003 Staff at Leadhills filmed shooting a Hen harrier and removing eggs from a nest
2006 Rabbit baits, 2 dead buzzards and traces of Carbofuran discovered at Leadhills.
There are several more documented incidents of raptor persecution on estates who have links to Osborne.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/leadhills-poison.html
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