Today we wave goodbye to our fantastic Head of Investigations, Bob Elliot, who on 15 October takes up the post of Director at animal welfare charity OneKind, based in Edinburgh. A passionate conservationist and natural, personable leader, he’s been a key driving force in many of the teams’ successes.
Bob joined the RSPB Scotland Investigations unit as head of the team in 2007 and quickly established himself as a driven and determined individual, ready to take on all the challenges associated with tackling bird of prey persecution. He’s been instrumental in some landmark cases, including finding three golden eagles poisoned on a Sutherland grouse moor, which lead to the discovery of the biggest stockpile of Carbofuran ever recorded.
Then in 2012 Bob moved south, becoming Head of Investigations for the UK. He took the experience he had learned in Scotland to bodies such as the Raptor Persecution Priority Delivery Group putting his people skills and flair for partnership working to excellent use.
Jo Gilbert, Deputy Director, Global Conservation, said: “Bob’s passion and dedication for stopping the illegal killing of wildlife constantly shows through. His measured approach, focussing on what is necessary for success, has made licensing a real possibility. He played a key role in bringing in vicarious liability and the independent review of grouse shooting in Scotland. With this he is also a great team player, looking out for people and offering sage advice. I’ll miss working with him and wish him the best of luck with OneKind.”
Ian Thomson, Head of Investigations Scotland, said: “Bob provided significant evidence to the panel conducting the Scottish Government’s Thematic Review of the Investigation and Prosecution of Wildlife Crime, also to the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs Committee as they considered the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill. The vicarious liability legislation now in place in Scotland can rightly be considered as part of his legacy.”
Bob Elliott, Head of RSPB Investigations, recovering a poisoned golden eagle in Scotland.