A report in the Independent on Sunday claims that wildlife crime has doubled in the last year. This includes poisoning of birds of prey as well as badger baiting, poaching, hare coursing and egg thefts.
We regard ourselves as a nation of animal lovers, and tend to criticise Mediterranean countries for illegal bird-liming and killing protected migratory species - but these figures suggest that UK incidents are now occurring at 120 each week. How wildlife-friendly are we Brits?
And these figures must be, surely, the tip of an iceburg. After all, when an eagle is poisoned its family don't get on the phone to report it - there is no missing eagle search.
And when a shot rings out on a grouse moor early one morning, and a hen harrier falls to the ground, the body is likely to be picked up and buried or destroyed so that the evidence is not available.
Apparently Northumbria has the highest rate of wildlife crime - we must take that with a pinch of salt since wildlife crime is so difficult to detect and is, understandably, not the absolutely highest priority for most police forces.
Birds of prey, particularly golden eagles and hen harriers, are ruthlessly persecuted in far too much of the countryside. Our bird of prey pledge is heading towards its target of 200,000 signatures - please sign it to show you are a nature-lover who wishes the law to be respected.