Hi there Wildlife crime ..... birds on the show today http://www.bbc.co.uk/crimewatchroads...agle_owl.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b012949v I watched this programme, and was disgusted how any person could shot an Eagle Owl in the wild (x-captive probabily) for no reason at all. This particular Owl had become very humanised and for some reason a person took delight in shooting it with an air-rifle. It was rescued and its wing has been badly damaged, and cannot be realised back into the wild as it is not a bird associated with the UK. As the Eagle Owls is not a species to be realised to this country it is touch and go whether it is an offence to kill an non-native bird. What do we think of this as the law stand relating to hurting non UK wild birds? The other thing featured on the programme, I found extemely disturbing is that people catch song birds in traps so they can keep them as captive birds is on the increase, and it is worrying news. The RSPCA/RSPB are a lot more aware of the problems now and to think that birds come into our garden, trust us to feed them, only to have individuals trapping them along with 'dummy song birds' birds is sick making to be honest. Birds are then sold between £50-£75.00 I am pleased that there has been wild life featured on this programme as it is a crime as we know ourselves - well done Crimewatch!! Anyway the programme is in BBC I-player (the Eagle Owl/bird traps featured roughly half way through the programme) for interest. Regards Kathy and Dave
BBC I-player is available now http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b012949v It is 15.20 mins into the programme Regards Kathy and Dave
Thanks for that info Blackbird it most be a repeat because i player says there is only 17 hours left to catch up,well worth a look.There was a similar incident here in the dale a few years back when there was a breeding pair who over the years had reared several broods but she was shot by somebody with a more powerful gun on the type used to shoot deer so she had no chance of survival.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Hi Seaman
i see the 'Eagle Owl' story goes back to January 2011, so it shows that wildllife are a second thought over other human issues
It would be good to catch to culprit however it is done.
Even if a bird is a non-native species - it is cruel to shot 'Eagle Owls' as with any animal - unless it is done by a professional who has a reason to do it with permission to shot the 'animals' in the first place
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Wendy S said: Thanks for that info Blackbird it most be a repeat because i player says there is only 17 hours left to catch up,well worth a look.There was a similar incident here in the dale a few years back when there was a breeding pair who over the years had reared several broods but she was shot by somebody with a more powerful gun on the type used to shoot deer so she had no chance of survival.
Nicki C said: It would be good to catch to culprit however it is done.
Wendy S said: It would be good to catch to culprit however it is done.
That is exactly the problem in this country. It is getting the'.wild animal cruelty/' case courts to take an issue seriously as it should.
Nothing is ever seen as simpliclistic as it should be - if only that would change for the better....then the country would be free of 'wildlife hating' 'scumbags'