The number of
reported and confirmed illegal bird of prey poisoning incidents in Scotland has
increased to six in 2013 from three in 2012.
The birds involved
were a red kite, a golden eagle and 4 buzzards. Despite the increase, this
remains a significant reduction from 2009 where the 5 year figures were at
their highest level of 30 poisoned birds (across 22 incidents).
For the first time
the maps published today, by the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime
(PAW) Scotland, show not only poisonings but all recorded crimes against birds
of prey. These new maps will be built on year on year, like the poisoning maps,
to eventually show a 5 year picture.
The new map shows
there were 15 recorded crimes involving other methods of persecution such as
shooting, trapping or nest destruction. Two further incidents could not be
included on the map as their location was not known. This is a clear reflection
that birds of prey are continuing to be persecuted in the Scottish countryside,
whether by deliberate or accidental means. The birds involved included red
kites, hen harriers, buzzards, an osprey, a sea eagle, a peregrine falcon and a
tawny owl.
The Minister for
Environment and Climate Change, and Chair of PAW Scotland, Paul Wheelhouse,
said:
“Whilst I am
very disappointed these new figures confirm an increase in poisoning figures
they are, thankfully, still well below the numbers we saw in 2009. Though the
numbers are relatively small, there is absolutely no room for complacency, and
a lot of work has been going on behind the scenes, among the partners in PAW
Scotland, to tackle this illegal activity.
“I want to
be absolutely clear and unequivocal that any incident of poisoning of raptors
is one too many and I have charged my officials with exploring, with PAW
Scotland partners, how we can further reduce the presence of poisons across our
countryside, with a particular concern to safely eliminate any remaining stocks
of carbofuran from Scotland.
“In
addressing stakeholders, I made clear a year ago that, while poisoning
incidents were down, and this was good news, I would be watching to see if
perpetrators of raptor persecution were merely switching methods of operation
and I stressed I would take action if needed. I was therefore disturbed to
learn of the unfolding number of raptor persecution incidents as the year
progressed, and today's publication of the new map confirms a larger number
of other reported crimes that is nearly 3 times the level of
poisoning.
“This
finding fully justifies the actions I announced last July when I set out new
measures to tackle this totally unacceptable behaviour. I regret that such
action is even necessary, but given the total disregard shown for the desire of
both the Scottish Parliament and people of Scotland to protect our birds of
prey, by a selfish minority who continue to illegally kill raptors, I believe
my decision was the correct one.”
Duncan Orr-Ewing,
RSPB Head of Species and Land Management said:
“We welcome
the publication of the more complete raptor persecution dataset this year,
reflecting both illegal poisoning, and other criminal activity against birds of
prey in Scotland in 2013. It is very worrying that the number of detected
illegal poisoning incidents has shown an increase on the previous year. The
other reported criminal incidents show the deliberate targeting of vulnerable
raptor species including hen harriers, red kites, and both golden and sea
eagles.
“We
acknowledge Scottish Government efforts to tackle these appalling crimes, which
have no place in modern Scotland, and agree that the production of these annual
raptor crime maps makes a significant contribution to public awareness of this
issue”.
Douglas McAdam,
chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates said:
“We have
supported the publication of these poisoning maps since their inception because
robust facts and evidence are an essential part of resolving this problem. With
good progress having been made on reducing illegal poisoning incidents since
the high double figure numbers of a few years ago it is helpful to extend the
same approach to show other types of illegal killing.
“Robust
evidence is again essential and so these maps are based solely on Police
Scotland and SASA data. Scottish Land & Estates will continue to work with
partners to eradicate all forms of wildlife crime that blight our
countryside."
Notes To
Editors
1. We would not
want to speculate at this time on the cause of the recent incident in
Ross-shire while police investigations are on-going although the discovery of
six dead raptors is obviously extremely serious.
2. Anyone who
finds a dead bird of prey, and suspects it may have been poisoned, should
contact the police as per the PAW Scotland guidance.
3. The maps and further information can be accessed online at: www.PAW.Scotland.gov.uk
4. PAW Scotland is
the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime in Scotland. PAW Scotland
membership encompasses a wide range of bodies with an interest in tackling
wildlife crime including conservation, land management, shooting and law
enforcement organisations.
5. Led by the
Scottish Government, RSPB Scotland and Scottish Land & Estates, the maps
were compiled using data held by Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture
(SASA), Scottish Rural College (SRUC) and Police Scotland. The final poisoning
results display the number and frequency of confirmed bird of prey poisoning
and other incidents categorised by SASA as 'Deliberate Abuse' over the
past five years. The single year data on wider persecution methods has been
confirmed (via SRUC) and Police Scotland as recorded crimes. The maps have been
compiled with the support of the PAW Scotland Raptor Group.
6. SASA is an
Edinburgh-based scientific division of the Scottish Government Agriculture,
Food and Rural Communities Directorate. SASA Pesticide and Wildlife Branch
provides a variety of analytical chemistry services and expert advice in
support of the Scottish Government's participation in UK and EU annual
surveillance programs that monitor the impact of pesticide use on food &
drink, animals and honeybees. The unit also provides essential support to law
enforcement agencies and non-government organisations investigating suspected
(illegal) animal poisoning activities.
7. Using latest
scientific technology, bird specimens, suspected baits, suspicious chemicals
and poisoning paraphernalia are analysed to identify the type of poison, if
any, used. The science behind the bird of prey poisoning maps helps to
highlight the scale of the problem of deliberate and illegal attempts to poison
wildlife and is a significant tool in the fight against wildlife
crime.
8. The new
additional maps showing wider methods of persecution have been compiled as
reported crimes demonstrated that other methods were in play and needed to be
taken into account when talking about raptor crime. The species of birds
confirmed as crimes and included in the incidents are:
|
Buzzard
|
9
|
|
Red
Kite
|
2
|
|
Hen
Harrier
|
2
|
|
Osprey
|
1
|
|
Peregrine Falcon
|
1
|
|
White
Tailed Sea Eagle
|
1
|
|
Tawny
Owl
|
1
|
8. The size of
‘spots’ on the map indicates the number of incidents in that area.
The larger the spot the greater the number of confirmed incidents.
9. Exact locations
of incidents are not shown, in recognition of the fact that birds may travel
some distance after either exposure to poison or perhaps having been shot. The
map therefore applies an obscurity factor to avoid any inference being drawn
for the exact point of discovery of the bird, but still allows an overview of
the worst affected areas.
10. The poisoning
incidents refer only to confirmed poisoning cases categorised by SASA as
'Deliberate Abuse' and not any other category of confirmed poisonings.
The number of incidents does not indicate the number of birds killed. For a
breakdown of the number and species of birds killed in the incidents listed go
to: www.PAW.Scotland.gov.uk
11. The
arrangements for dealing with wildlife crime were the subject of a major review
in 2008, by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and the Inspectorate of
Prosecution. The Scottish Government is implementing the recommendations that
relate to PAW. These involve a restructuring of the organisation to create a
broader base, and a revitalisation of effort with work being taken forward
through focused sub-groups. The mapping project is a result of the partnership
working.
12. Vicarious
Liability was introduced following a full debate on wildlife crime in the
Scottish Parliament during the passage of the Wildlife and Natural Environment
(Scotland) Bill in 2011. It is a ground-breaking new provision to deal with
landowners and managers who turn a blind eye to employees committing offences
against wild birds on their land. Vicarious liability came into force on 1
January 2012. It does not have retrospective effect, and so applies only to
offences committed after that date.
13. In response to
further evidence of raptor crime the Minister for Environment and Climate
Change Paul Wheelhouse announced new measures to tackle this area of crime.
These can be read in full at:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Wildlife-Habitats/paw-scotl
and/news/2013/raptor-persecution-new-measures