Not a very nice way to promote the outdoor's. these are rare enough at the best of times.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/6944017.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/6944017.stm
poisoned eagle's
- Thread starter dave k
- Start date
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Dreadful news - and the thing is, if they get caught, it's next to impossible to prove who actually laid the poison so will probably get away with it. And even if they are prosecuted they usually only get a small fine, a slap on the wrist and told not to do it again!
The laws need to be much, much tougher if this is to stop.
The laws need to be much, much tougher if this is to stop.
This is not a rhetorical question but why?
I don't mean how can someone do such a dreadful thing why?
But am I missing something why?
Or is it as pointless as an act of vandalism?
Is someone thinking they are a pest ?
Just dont see the motive.
Dave
I don't mean how can someone do such a dreadful thing why?
But am I missing something why?
Or is it as pointless as an act of vandalism?
Is someone thinking they are a pest ?
Just dont see the motive.
Dave
It's usually gamekeepers Dave.
They reckon that raptors kill and spook the game birds thus spoiling the shoot.
Just takes one bludy moron to do an incredible amount of damage.
I hope his tadger rots and drops off.:aargh4:
initial thoughts on the news was that someone had left out poison for foxes or rats and the Eagle had eaten it rather than someone targetting the eagle directly. If they catch them they will still get prosecuted but I doubt if anyone will be happy with the result - least of all the eagle.
On which planet do these 
people live? I just can't understand why they still do it. Willfully killing these magnificent birds is an absolute crime. I really hope they get caught 
:twak:
people live? I just can't understand why they still do it. Willfully killing these magnificent birds is an absolute crime. I really hope they get caught :twak:
I really can't see an eagle taking rat bait to be honest. Rat bait is normally anti-coagulant based and needs to be ingested more than once. Its usually deployed on a grain carrier as well or in gel form. Both sorts should be contained in a bait box to prevent ingestion by non-target species. Secondary poisoning (eating poisoned rats) was my first thought. Most pest controllers try to removed bodies and incinerate or bury them - but its far from easy. Most foxes are controlled with traps or shooting rather than poison.
All that said, the gamekeepers I know would not be dumb enough to poison any raptor let alone an eagle. I'm not saying it couldn't be one but it strikes me as a strange thing as well as a sad one
Red
All that said, the gamekeepers I know would not be dumb enough to poison any raptor let alone an eagle. I'm not saying it couldn't be one but it strikes me as a strange thing as well as a sad one
Red
Still don't get it!
Oh
It's usually gamekeepers Dave.
"I hope his tadger rots and drops off."
It could be a female Border River .....so lets hope that she has a problem with her foo foo!!!
Oh
It's usually gamekeepers Dave.
"I hope his tadger rots and drops off."
It could be a female Border River .....so lets hope that she has a problem with her foo foo!!!
This is very sad but i dont agree with people saying its probably game keepers. Maybe some do but i think that it is wrong to assume that all Gamekeepers do it
leon
I don't think anybody is assuming that all gamekeepers poison birds - I know some that wouldn't dream of doing it - but some certainly do and it only takes one for tragic consequences! The baits are usually laid for raptors that take grouse chicks e.g. hen harriers.
The fact that it was found on a grouse moor and a poisoned bait was found close by points the finger at gamekeepers IMO.
I used to go to the Scottish Highlands regularly with the family and while we were there we'd spend a lot of time with the local gamekeeper - shooting, on the hills looking for deer, that kind of thing.
One year, when I was a child, I had the honour of seeing a Golden Eagle and excitedly told the gamekeeper when we saw him the next day.
''Aye'' he said. ''You've seen a regal animal there, no question. I still stop for a look every time I see one. Beautiful beasts they are.''
His respect for the Eagle was obvious, and it upsets me to think that a gamekeeper would deliberately poison one.
One year, when I was a child, I had the honour of seeing a Golden Eagle and excitedly told the gamekeeper when we saw him the next day.
''Aye'' he said. ''You've seen a regal animal there, no question. I still stop for a look every time I see one. Beautiful beasts they are.''
His respect for the Eagle was obvious, and it upsets me to think that a gamekeeper would deliberately poison one.
