The immensely lucrative grouse shooting industry is threatening raptors in Scotland, in particular the iconic golden eagle.
On Scotland’s grouse moors, there are large numbers of abandoned eagle nests. Overall, the moors have become suspiciously empty of raptors of all kinds.
It appears that gamekeepers are illegally poisoning the birds of prey, seeing them as a threat to grouse, and it’s getting worse. The figures for 2013 show a 100% increase in illegal raptor poisoning, according to Raptor Persecution Scotland.
Letting these amazing birds be killed for the sake of a bloodthirsty and completely unnecessary hobby is intolerable, and it’s time official action was taken.
Tell the Scottish government to revise its grouse shoot licensing policies immediately.
We the undersigned ask that you take immediate action to stop raptors, in particular the golden eagle, being killed on behalf of the grouse shooting industry.
Apparently, 100% more birds of prey were illegally poisoned for this reason last year, which is completely unacceptable. Scotland’s wildlife is appreciated by everybody – we should not be losing it for the sake of a small, if well-heeled, minority’s hobby.
It seems that a revision of the grouse shooting licensing to cover individuals as well as estates might have an effect. Please look into this as a matter of urgency.
Thank you for your attention.
