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Originally Posted by Xanadu2  It shocks me that the relevant bodies like the RSPB won't act. There must be something, if I put my thinking cap on...
Can you put the information on a website? (there are free ones if you are with the right ISP.) If you can get some good links, that could attract some attention.
Anyway, good on you for trying to do something!!!! We need folks like you! |
First of all, although the number of swans being killed on this site is a bit worrying, the RSPB is not a relevant body as neither the land or the powerlines are under their control. The reserve is under Natural Englands control and the powerlines are the responsibility of the power company. As the power company are already placing diverters on the lines there's very little else they can do. Replacing the overground cables with underground ones will be the logical step, however this is extremely expensive and would require serious diruption. Secondly, to defend the RSPB, there is only a very small investigations team, and although the swans are a sad case, there are many more serious, and actual, wildlife crimes that need to be investigted, particularly with birds of prey, for example hen harriers, or indeed golden eagles, and rare waders. The RSPB is a charity, with limited resources at its disposal, is doing the best it can, and should not be ragged on by people who do not understand its function properly. The RSPB is about conservation of biodiversity and due to the aforementioned funding restrictions cannot protect every species in every square kilometer of the UK. Although it is good to raise this kind of problem, the RSPB cannot be held responsible for every bird that dies or is injured every year. In this case going to the press will achieve very little, as all that will happen is a statement will be released saying that the power company is already doing more than most would, and Natural England do not have enough money to pay for the cable to be moved, because the budget has been squeezed too much. It would therefore be a wise move to check all the information before going to the press, as the relevant bodies are probably already taking all the measures currently available to them.