Peregrine deaths blamed on shooters
The shooting community has reacted with dismay after the RSPB issued a statement blaming gameshooting interests for rising numbers of peregrine deaths in 2009.
In the statement, the RSPBs Mark Thomas wrote: Peregrines have taken 30 years to recover from the devastating effects of pesticide poisoning, and still we find them targeted by people who hold a grudge against them. This has included rogue elements within the pigeon racing and gameshooting communities who blame them for the loss of their birds.
According to the RSPB, there have already been more than 50 reported incidents of possible persecution in 2009, with more waiting to be processed. By comparison, there were only 79 incidents reported for the whole of 2007. As a result, the RSPB is urging the Government to add peregrines to its list of priority species for wildlife crime enforcement.
However, shooting organisations have pointed out that gamekeepers actually contribute to the conservation of the raptors by managing their habitat. The Countryside Alliances Tim Bonner explained: The recovery of the peregrine population has been a great conservation victory helped in no small part by the management for shooting of two thirds of the UKs rural land. He added that the RSPB seems increasingly desperate to alienate rural communities by making blanket unsubstantiated allegations against shooters and falconers. Of course we are all appalled by the pointless persecution of peregrines, but throwing allegations around like confetti is not a solution, Mr Bonner said.
The rest of this article appears in 9th July issue of Shooting Times.
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