Wildlife licences restricted on Highlands estate where eagle was found dead

Nature agency NatureScot said the licences to control wildlife had been suspended for three years on part of the Invercauld Estate near Braemar.
There was evidence of a golden eagle being poisoned on the estate (Scottish SPCA/PA)
PA Media
Katharine Hay9 February 2022

Applications for licences to control wildlife have been restricted at a Scottish estate after a bird of prey was found dead.

NatureScot, Scotland’s nature agency, announced that the use of general licences – a permit that allows landowners or land managers to control wildlife to protect certain species and agriculture – will be suspended for three years on some parts of Invercauld Estate in the Cairngorms National Park.

The restriction applies to the estate’s Gairnshiel and Micras moor, where Police Scotland said there was evidence of a golden eagle being poisoned in March last year, along with a rabbit and a hare carcass, both baited with poison.

The decision has been made despite police confirming that no charges have been made in relation to the incident.

We believe this is a proportionate response to protect wild birds in the area and prevent further wildlife crime

Donald Fraser, NatureScot

A spokesman for the estate, near Braemar, said it was considering appealing against the decision.

Donald Fraser, NatureScot’s head of wildlife management, described the discovery as “an act of animal cruelty”, adding that “there is clear evidence of criminal behaviour”.

He said: “Because of this, and the risk of more wildlife crimes taking place, we have suspended the use of general licences on this property for three years.

“They may still apply for individual licences, but these will be closely monitored.

“This measure will help to protect wild birds in the area, while still allowing necessary land management activities to take place, although under tighter supervision.

“We believe this is a proportionate response to protect wild birds in the area and prevent further wildlife crime.”

Mr Fraser said the agency will continue to work with Police Scotland and will consider information they provide on cases which may warrant restricting general licences.

He added: “The detection of wildlife crime can be difficult, but this is the third time in recent months when we have restricted use of general licences on the basis of evidence of crime taking place.”

A spokesman for the estate said: “Invercauld Estate abhors wildlife crime in any form and condemns such activity in the strongest possible terms.

“NatureScot makes clear in its decision notice that the general licence restriction does not imply responsibility on individuals or the estate itself.

“No accusation of wildlife crime has been made against the estate or any of its staff. A number of parties other than the estate itself will be affected by the licence restriction.

“The Micras area where the eagle was discovered last year has not been managed for grouse shooting since autumn 2020 and farming and woodland management are the current priorities there

“We are conservationists and the estate takes its care of wildlife and nature as inherent in the wide range of activities we undertake and facilitate. A survey in 2020 identified 1,117 pairs of breeding pairs of red and amber listed birds, the most endangered, across 37 different species – including 33 pairs of raptors – on Invercauld land.

“The estate encompasses a wide area and the restriction notice applies to a corner amounting to less than 18% of the estate.

“We are actively considering whether to appeal NatureScot’s decision for the benefit of all parties who will be impacted.”

Police Scotland confirmed forensic examinations taken at the time showed the eagle had been illegally and intentionally poisoned.

A spokeswoman for the force said officers acting under warrant searched a number of properties on the Invercauld Estate shortly after the discovery and confirmed no arrests were made.

She said inquiries are still ongoing.

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