BASC welcomes the Scottish government’s call for a review of satellite tracking data following reports that eight golden eagles have disappeared during the last five years across the Monadhliath mountain range in the Highlands.
RSPB Scotland makes claims linking the disappearance of the birds and their electronic tags to the management of moorland in the area for grouse shooting, but fail to provide the evidence.
Scottish environment secretary Roseanna Cunningham has asked for analysis of data from around 90 golden eagles, while acknowledging the conservation benefits of grouse moor management and highlighting its economic importance.
BASC’s Scotland director Dr Colin Shedden said: “It is important that the full facts are made available before anyone publicly draws conclusions that are not based on evidence and could damage livelihoods and communities. BASC welcomes the input of the Scottish government.
“Any persecution of a protected bird is wholly against the interests of shooting and BASC condemns such an action unreservedly. Law breakers and wildlife criminals have no place among British shooters.”
BASC chairman Peter Glenser said: “The shooting community is a fully signed-up participant in the battle against wildlife crime and is involved across the UK in efforts to apprehend criminals and stop such crime. We call on all shooters to co-operate with the police in ensuring that wildlife criminals are swiftly apprehended and their illegal activity stopped.”