Help Save Our Birds Of Prey

[Thizle]

I have signed the petition, but not the Pledge, heaven forbid hic! regards Jon

[Run rabbit]

All signed up

Cheers
Jo

[Tazni]

Signed with pleasure =]

They do not need managing... and neither does any other animal... We should allow creatures to live normally... without hunting them for their hides or for pleasure... We shouldn't try and control nature

[wildflower]

I have signed the petition..we will have no wildlife left at this rate..grrrrrr
it just makes my blood boil..

[clover green]

Have signed.

[denisg]

Petition signed.

The final scenes of Spartacus spring to mind here, pity the end result was so weak for the harriers

Denis.

[Dogghound]

Signed it

[suzted]

signed. i believe people should let nature take its course. it may be unfair if a big bird comes along and eats a small bird but thats just the way it is is it not? i wonder if small bird lovers complain when the poor wee worms get eaten lol

[Blackpatch]

Have signed the pledge - I get Sparrowhawks in my garden.

[September]

Signed, thanks.

[MaileLeaf]

I would love to sign the petition except am not a citizen of th UK! Sorry to interrupt the debate - I didn't know where else to post this.

I was actually interested in knowing, if anyone would be so kind to explain, what the wildlife laws are like in the UK. Do you have federal protections for Raptors or migratory birds? Do the laws vary by region/municipality? Also if not, do you find that the need for rehab facilities is greater/less?

Across the pond - in the USA where I reside, all raptors are protected under a federal migratory bird act. Unfortunately the penalties for killing them are very slight. On the other hand, to own feathers from one is like a $500 (250pounds) per feather fine. Strange, huh? The state I live in has some of the most strict statutes in the country regarding all native wildlife. For instance, ownership of any wild animal is illegal unless state and federally permitted as a rehabber, falconer, or educator. And each animal must have it's own permit.
Etc etc.

[christina]

MaileLeaf

I am unsure of the rules of our country regarding the the keeping and killing of wildlife in this country but I follow my own very strict rule and that is "Never kill a wild creature (whether a bird, animal or fish) nor keep it in a cage or pen unless it is injured and you are helping it to recover". A very simple rule, which works well for me.

[MaileLeaf]

Christina,

I work as a wildlife rehabilitator, so I do agree with you in the harming part. After watching the psychological effects that raptors in long-term rehabilitation undergo, I have become interested in exploring the role that falconry could play in this interaction. Unfortunately the laws in the USA are so stringent that - if they don't directly disallow this approach, at the least they try to keep the two modalities separate. I have heard it is legal to own raptors as pets in the UK - and idea that I find disturbing, so I just wondered about the laws.

If anyone else knows or can direct me to an online resource I would very much appreciate it.

[Bucknallbear]

Originally Posted by Thizle

I have signed the petition, but not the Pledge, heaven forbid hic! regards Jon

stop it - I give up for Lent just to prove that I can and you are making me pine for a glass of wine

[oneworld]

Signed up. Thanks for bringing it to our attention


Jas

[Dalesman]

Signed it and hear's why.
The following is coppied from last weeks copy of the Noth Yorkshire News.

'Shame of North Yorkshire's 'killing fields'

MORE birds of prey were killed in North Yorkshire last year than anywhere else in northern England, says the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
There were no fewer than 80 reported incidents in the county, says the RSPB, which is launching a campaign to stamp out the illegal persecution.

While the population of birds of prey is rising in some parts of the UK, species such as golden eagles, hen harriers, goshawks, buzzards, red kites and peregrine falcons are being wiped out in other regions, particularly in the English uplands.

The RSPB blames gamekeepers and people who shoot for sport for "systematically wiping out these iconic species".

It says the killing will stop golden eagles recolonising southern Scotland and northern England, and is putting the hen harrier at risk.

Last year only 15 pairs of hen harriers nested successfully in England - and three of these were on moors which are managed for grouse shooting.