The Scottish Countryside Alliance has called into question an RSPB statement that those responsible for the latest case of raptor persecution in the Highlands could be associated with sporting interests, and calls for unity in working to eradicate raptor persecution.
Director Scotland Jamie Stewart said: "As active members of Partnership Against Wildlife Crime Scotland, we and other organisations representing sport shooting interests in Scotland wholeheartedly commit to the eradication of deliberate crimes against wildlife. We support Police Scotland in their endeavors and reiterate the call for information from anyone who can help trace those responsible for illegally disturbing the nests of protected birds of prey and the unexplained disappearance of adult birds from their nests in Moy Forest near Tomatin."
Jamie continued: "It is quite simply wrong of the RSPB to suggest that the disturbance and nest abandonment has something to do with a sporting interest without supporting evidence. We call on everyone with an interest in this case to work together to find the culprits and help to tackle raptor persecution. Making claims without evidence is not helpful, especially when we don't yet know what has happened here."
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Notes to editors
• The RSPB's statement is reported in the Herald here.
• Anyone with any information is asked to report it to Police Scotland on 101, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.