Sharp fall in birds of prey poisoned
The number of birds of prey poisoned in Scotland last year fell 70%, the Scottish Government announced with the remaining incidents reported in the Borders, Highlands and Grampian regions.
"I very much welcome the significant reduction in the number of birds of prey poisoned, which I hope signals the real change in attitude that is required to end this outdated and cruel practice" said Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse.
"2013 is the Year of Natural Scotland and our birds of prey are both a vital part of the natural environment and a stunning spectacle which attract visitors to our countryside from home and abroad."
A total of three poisoning incidents were recorded in 2012 resulting in the deaths of three birds of prey: two buzzards and a golden eagle. This compares to 10 incidents and 16 birds of prey poisoned in 2011 – a drop in incident numbers of 70 per cent.
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.
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.
The Scottish Gamekeepers Association welcomed the fall, with its chairman saying it was a testimony to the 'hard work being done on this issue within PAW and on the ground.'
"As has been mentioned, however, no one can be complacent" said Alex Hogg, Chairman of The Scottish Gamekeepers Association, who are members of The Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) Scotland.
"The illegal poisoning of birds of prey has no place in wildlife management and The Scottish Gamekeepers Association and other partners will continue to do everything possible in the hope that this practice can be eradicated completely."
The map (which is available to download at the bottom of this page) does not show exact location of incidents, in recognition of the fact that birds may travel some distance after exposure to the poison.
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.
The map shows only incidents involving illegal poisoning of birds of prey.
Other animal or bird species are not included, nor are any other crimes. 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.
Led by the Scottish Government, RSPB Scotland and Scottish Land & Estates, the map was compiled using data held by Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA).
The final results display the number and frequency of confirmed bird of prey poisoning incidents categorised by SASA as 'Deliberate Abuse' over the past five years. It was compiled with the support of the PAW Scotland Raptor Persecution Priority Delivery Group.
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.
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.
