Manx BirdLife backs UK petition to ban grouse shooting

'Unexplained losses' need parliaments to uphold wildlife laws, says IoM group

A local conservation group says it is supporting a campaign to end driven-grouse shooting on British moorlands, because it has 'no confidence' in the laws designed to protect wildlife.

Two satellite-tagged hen harriers from the Isle of Man have been lost in what Manx BirdLife has described as 'suspicious circumstances'.

It is believed they went missing over a grouse moor in the UK and fell foul to the area's management.

Ahead of his visit last month, broadcaster and naturalist Chris Packham told Manx Radio that residents should be 'worried' when the Island's hen harriers visit the mainland, because of persecution over Britain's grouse moors.

Mr Packham has since started a petition which has gained nearly 70,000 signatures in the last week, with the hope that Westminster will 'implement immediate, legislative and meaningful measures to address this abhorrently destructive practice'.

'Disgraceful situation'

The Island's branch, which has ties with the RSPB, has endorsed the move, claiming there has been an 'undeniable and well-documented recurring pattern over many years of sudden disappearances of birds of prey'.

In a statement to Manx Radio, the conservation group said 'the economic imperatives of grouse shooting have taken precedence over the law of the land.'

It adds that the UK is 'dithering' over legal changes to moorland management.

The conservation group said 'the disgraceful situation' requires the English, Welsh and Scottish parliaments to uphold their wildlife laws 'once and for all'.

'Alarming'

One hen harrier equipped with a tracking device, which left the Isle of Man for Scotland, is said to have perished when it encountered extreme weather when heading north.

Satellite data showed - under the assumption he was left exhausted by the headwinds and rain - he went down into the sea five miles off the Kirkcudbrightshire coast.

Two weeks later, the bird's body was found washed up onshore with its still-affixed satellite tag transmitting, allowing for the corpse and tag to be located and recovered.

Neil Morris of Manx BirdLife says this event, along with extensive studies, proves the tracking technology is 'robust'.

"Why does this rarely if ever happen with birds lost near or over grouse moors?" he said, calling the, disappearances of birds along with their tracking devices 'alarming'.

We at @WildJustice_org think that that driven grouse shooting has had its miserable and murderous day . We would like to end the slaughter of millions of animals which facilitates it . If you would too please sign here https://t.co/DnSB6Bo8Yh pic.twitter.com/1659C5Fq0C

— Chris Packham (@ChrisGPackham) August 14, 2019