How you can support the fight against wildlife crime
Illustration by Dick Vincent
At the height of the first national lockdown, while all the hillwalkers were stuck inside throwing lunges in front of Joe Wicks and plodding up and down the stairs to simulate the ascent of Kilimanjaro, something sinister was going on in our deserted countryside. The RSPB reported an unprecedented surge in “orchestrated” illegal bird of prey killings, as perpetrators took advantage of a temporary lack of witnesses.
Raptor persecution is nothing new. Birds like hen harriers, buzzards and goshawks are trapped, shot or poisoned, usually to stop them preying on more lucrative game birds. The RSPB says it’s often focused around grouse moors, and while the shooting lobby denies that this is the case, nearly 70% of those convicted of raptor persecution offences since 1990 have been gamekeepers.
Outdoor Provisions, who make natural energy bars in flavours themed around national parks, are committed to protecting our beautiful birds of prey. A proportion of their profits goes towards helping the RSPB investigate and prosecute raptor persecution – so as you head out into the Peak District with a cherry bakewell bar or bite down on a treacly parkin snack in the Yorkshire Dales, you’ll be supporting some of the area’s most embattled residents.
“Birds are really key to our experiences of the outdoors,” says Christian from Outdoor Provisions. “It links in with ideas of land access and land ownership.” And he’s keen to stress how urgently we need to act – some species like hen harriers are already teetering on the brink of extinction.
In practical terms, we can all do our bit to protect birds of prey while we’re out hiking or biking in the countryside. Keep an eye out for traps or dead raptors, especially if there’s a half-finished meal nearby which could indicate poisoned bait. If you do find anything suspicious, get photos and a GPS location if you can, report it to the police non-emergency number immediately and inform the RSPB’s investigations team.
You can also show your support for the campaign by ordering a £6 raptor pin badge from Outdoor Provisions, of which 100% of the profits will go to supporting the RSPB’s investigations into illegal wildlife crime.
Words: Joly Braime