Why is illegal raptor persecution still happening?

Why is illegal raptor persecution still happening?

Red kite with chicks by Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)

My first job with the RSPB was as an Investigations Officer based at our UK HQ at the Lodge in Bedfordshire. For two and a half years I followed egg collectors, tackled falcon thieves, and assisted the police in searches of the taxidermists who had freezers full of owls, falcons, buzzards and sometimes rarer species. The trail from the latter inevitably led to gamekeepers selling on birds they had killed.

This was the late 1970s, and birds like marsh harriers were on the brink of extinction in the UK, and red kites were still confined to central Wales.  But my belief was that illegal activities would soon be a thing of the past as attitudes changed, and my future and the talents I confidently thought I had would be best employed in advocating for changes to legislation and policy to better protect species, sites and advance the status of Environmental protection.  So I moved jobs and am (after some 35 years and a number of moves) now privileged to lead RSPB Scotland’s 320 staff, and be a corporate Board member of the RSPB.  No better place to work in my view.

Marsh harrier by Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)

But in one area the young Housden got it seriously wrong.  I could not have imagined then that in the 2010s some game managers and their staff would still be routinely and systematically killing protected birds of prey.  Much of this dislike of raptors (and predators generally) is based on scant evidence at best, and a poor understanding of ecology, but is so deeply ingrained in the culture of parts of the sport shooting community that the illegal persecution of raptors, has lasted into the 21^st Century, and shows little sign of abating.  The RSPB remains neutral on legitimate field sports – but will actively challenge those who pursue their interest illegally or unsustainably; other organisations stand against sport shooting in any form – but that is certainly not us.

So you would think engaging the RSPB constructively and in partnership would be seen by responsible agencies and bodies that speak up for fieldsports, as a tactically sensible thing to do.

But apparently not. The Countryside Alliance complains to the Charity Commission about the conduct of our work, and our role combating wildlife crime – a charge dismissed by our regulator.  The Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) complains constantly to the press about our charitable work.  In the process they make themselves appear rather ridiculous.  On the one hand they are (through gritted teeth) condemning those who flout the law, but on the other demanding the law is changed to allow them to kill species protected by law across the UK and EU!

Now the world is moving in a way which will continue to expose the excesses and selfish behaviour of some in the shooting community, and show this for what it is.  And instead of seeking common ground, their representatives continue to alienate potential allies!  Thankfully we know it is possible to work constructively with many shoot owners, and we are not shy in commending good work when we see it.

Convicted goshawk killer George Mutch was recently given a four month custodial prison sentence (photo by Peter Cairns, rspb-images.com)

Given the massive threats to the natural environment, and nature posed by everything from unsustainable fishing practices, habitat loss, climate change, invasive non- native species and agricultural intensification – I for one resent the fact I am, after over 35 years as a professional conservationist, still having to worry about people like George Mutch and those who seek to justify his heinous activities.

You do seriously have to wonder at the tactics pursued by some in the sector – those who  are in persistent denial of the criminal problem in their midst and fail to root out the “bad apples” in the sector, as widely demanded by the public, and in line with commonly understood professional standards. Where are the calm intelligent voices – please stand up and be counted!  We all need you. Nature needs you.

It really belongs in the past and we should all be working together, using the skills and land management experience found in the shooting sector, alongside our own, to address the continued loss of biodiversity here in the UK, and across the globe.