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.
These figures of 120 a week are absolutely appalling and like you say are only the tip of the iceberg,the real figures must be much worse.I belong to the old school of capital punishment and I don't think anyone can convince me thinking that if you make the punishment severe enough it will deter anyone from committing these awful crimes.I suspect that like crimes in general that 90% of crimes are committed by about 10% of criminals the answer is to obvious for politicians to see.
hi Mark
I read the article today in The Independant on Sunday and it was very mind boggling to read.
It made for interesting reading about the general situation regarding all types of wildlife
Why on earth is there nothing to stop these 'pool' of people from doing what they are doing is beyond me.
The Law is just not stern enough at all.
There was an article on Countryfile tonight about the debate about fox-hunting tonight. Now the issue is taken pretence as part of the political agenda. The whole issue should be laid to rest end. It is a cruel sport end of story. Why draw the issue out over and over again.
It does not help anyone at all. {sad}
I have signed the BoP pledge as it needs a lot of supoport at the present time.
Regards Kathy and Dave
Kathy and Dave - thanks for signing the bird of prey pledge. Wildlife crime is difficult for the police to tackle - we understand that - but demonstrating public support for the law being upheld is vitally important.