The lockdown has increased illegal hunting and in recent weeks, at least 56 raptors have been killed although it is a protected species
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himThe coronavirus emergency lockdown has increased illegal hunting and in recent weeks the RSPB, the wildlife charity, has received dozens of reports denouncing the killing of birds of prey such as eagles, peregrine falcons, buzzards, red kites and barn owls. At least 56 animals would be killed.
The absence of excursions encourages poachers who continue to act undisturbed in their slaughter of wildlife. The RSPB talks about 'orchestrated crimes', because the lockdown is behind these shipments.
"Like in the Wild West, since there is no one around," Mark Thomas, head of the RSPB investigative unit, tells the BBC. Birds of prey receiving constant attacks and while last year, during this time, the body normally received three or four reports of killing protected bird species every week, now there are at least four per day.
The wildlife charity claims the killings are linked to birds of prey preying on animals such as pheasants that are bred for sport hunting. They approach the prey and are in turn shot, because according to the institution these would not be simple accidents (in any case not justifiable).
“I am genuinely disturbed. In more than 20 years of investigation, I've never seen anything like it. This is an orchestrated crime against wildlife, ”explains Thomas. On March 29, a buzzard was found shot in Shipton, near York. Its wing was fractured in two places, and an X-ray revealed several bullets inside the bird's body. Luckily, the buzzard managed to escape and was released. Over the Easter weekend, a red kite was found killed near Leeds. He had 12 rifle bullets in his body. The following weekend, a dead red kite was found in Powys. In southwestern England, ten buzzards were found, all of them poisoned.
@NORTH YORKSHIRE POLICE
The Investigation Unit suspects that the true number of incidents could be much higher, as there are fewer people in the countryside who could report cases, with hikers and groups specializing in the study of birds of prey. As we know, birds of prey are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and therefore hunting is illegal.
The RSPB has recorded at least 56 potential crimes - more than one per day on average - since the lockdown began on March 23, including 15 raptors killed illegally and 24 subjected to further post mortem analysis.
“Spring is the time when birds of prey are most visible and therefore vulnerable. Criminal actions are targeted and malicious in nature, birds are killed off before they have the opportunity to reproduce, often in areas where they have already been persecuted, ”says Supt Nick Lyall, head of a national police and political group in charge. to face the persecution of birds of prey.
The lockdown, therefore, was seen as a green light for those who continue to commit crimes against protected animals.
“The reported wave shouldn't really come as a surprise. Birds have been hit for years, the lockdown simply gives criminals more opportunities to pursue their goals with little fear of detection and consequences, ”says Ruth Tingay of Raptor Persecution UK and co-founder of Wild Justice and adds: “The question remains the same: block or not, when this government recognizes the extent of the problem. Intentional blindness can no longer be tolerated ”.
Fonts: BBC/The Guardian/Independent
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