Wildlife experts have said wild beavers in Scotland are being trapped and shot because ministers have broken promises to make them a protected species. A group of 17 prominent ecologists and conservation bodies have signed a letter to the Guardian urging the Scottish government to honour its pledge two years ago to legislate to protect […]
Tag: scotland
POLL: Should Scotland review its animal culling and trophy hunting laws?
The Scottish government is to review the law around animal culling after an American TV presenter caused outrage by tweeting pictures of herself and a companion posing with a wild goat shot on Islay. Larysa Switlyk, who describes herself as a “professional huntress”, posted a picture of herself smiling behind the animal. The image has […]
Pine marten spotted in Kielder forest for first time in 90 years
The pine marten, a fearsome but diminutive predator driven to extinction in England, has returned to the country’s largest forest for the first time since 1926. Stills and video from a camera trap have recorded a mature pine marten devouring peanut butter put out for red squirrels at a secret location in Kielder forest, Northumberland. […]
Speyside
Mrs D and I have just returned home from a week in the Scottish highlands joining up with son Dan and his good wife Mary and their two young children Martha and Theo. We were based in Nethybridge which is in easy reach of all the wildlife hotspots. Although more of a family holiday I […]
Pine Martens Could Save the UK’s Red Squirrel Population
The reintroduction of pine martens in Scotland has been controversial, but data from a new study revealsa potential bonus: These cat-sized predators could help the beleaguered red squirrel to bounce back. The study, which appears this month in the journal “Proceedings of the Royal Society B,” suggests that while pine martens prey on red squirrels, […]
The Chain Reaction on Nature of a Lack of Education or Knowledge
Everyone loves to get close to wild animals right? That feeling of wow am I really doing this, is that wild *animal* really that close. That’s what goes through my mind when something is a reasonable size to see the detail in hair/ feathers/ scales in my 300mm +1.4 converter (I’m incredibly short and a […]
Success! Scotland Bans Wild Animals in Traveling Circuses
Animal advocates are celebrating another major win for animals used in entertainment following news that Scotland has banned wild animals in traveling circuses. This week, the Scottish Parliament passed the Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (Scotland) Bill, which was introduced on ethical grounds earlier this May by Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and […]
POLL: Should the culling of Scotland’s mountain hares be banned?
Unregulated culling of Scotland’s mountain hares should be banned and the species protected, according to a report that says shooting the animals for sport is inhumane and uncontrolled. Landowners can shoot the hares without a licence from August to February and claim culls are necessary to protect game, especially red grouse, from disease. Campaigners say […]
