BASC has welcomed the production of a notebook to help the public record suspected poaching or coursing incidents.
The notebook has been released by the PAW Scotland Poaching and Coursing Priority Group and allows people to record as much accurate and detailed information as possible to pass on to the police. It is designed to fit in a glovebox or pocket and guides the user on the type of information which should be recorded.
Copies of the free notebook will be available at the BASC stand at the Scone Game Fair 2015 on July 3rd, 4th and 5th.
Colin Shedden, director of BASC Scotland, said: “This is an essential new tool in the fight against poaching and coursing. Poaching and coursing commonly compromise not just the welfare of the animals that are being targeted but the species conservation status and the economic value associated with these fish, birds and animals. We welcome the release of this notebook and will be distributing it from our stand at the Scottish Game Fair this weekend.”
Copies of the notebook can also be downloaded and printed from the PAW Scotland website www.PAW.Scotland.gov.uk
To report a wildlife crime incident, contact Police Scotland on 101, or phone 999 in an emergency.
The contributing organisations to the project are The British Deer Society, Scottish Land and Estates and BASC. Approval and support has been granted by Police Scotland, the PAW Scotland Executive and the Scottish Government.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
PAW Scotland is the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime in Scotland. The partnership includes conservationists, land management groups, law enforcement and government agencies, who have joined together to fight wildlife crime.
For more information, contact Nicolle Hamilton, BASC Scotland press and policy officer, on 07792 235343.