200,000 people in the UK say: Stop killing birds of prey!

RSPB Scotland Head of Investigations Bob Elliot holding a poisoned Golden eagle found in Glen Orchy in 2009. Photo credit RSPB Scotland.

Wildlife minister accepts RSPB's largest ever petition calling for the killing to stop
February 2010. Wildlife Minister Huw Irranca Davies has today accepted a petition signed by more 200,000 people demanding an end to the killing of birds of prey.

The petition is the largest ever collected by the RSPB. Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB's Director of Conservation, handed the petition to the Minister in front of a giant mosaic of a peregrine, held aloft by supporters of the campaign.

Dr Avery said: "We have been impressed and inspired by the huge response to this campaign. That so many people felt moved to take time to add their names to our call for the killing to stop gives it enormous weight. Like us they are rightly appalled that birds of prey continue to be killed in our countryside."

Recovering from DDT
Most birds of prey are recovering in number since the days when they all but vanished because of persecution and poisoning from pesticides like DDT. As well as legal protection, the birds' recovery has been helped enormously by the efforts of many conservationists, landowners and gamekeepers. Yet, illegal activity remains a very real threat in some parts of the country.

2008 - 200+ reports of birds of prey being shot & poisoned
In 2008, the RSPB received more than 200 reports of birds of prey being shot, poisoned and trapped in the UK. The Society has been calling for a review of the way crimes against wildlife are dealt with by the police and courts in England and Wales. A similar review has already been carried out in Scotland.

Wildlife Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: "I'm delighted to support this RSPB campaign and it's great to see that hundreds of thousands of people want to see these marvellous birds protected and have signed this petition. Most of our birds of prey populations are doing well but the persecution of birds of prey is one of the priorities dealt with by our Wildlife Crime Unit who work to protect these very special birds."

210,567 people signed the RSPB's pledge, calling for the killing of birds of prey to stop. In addition, the following 30 organisations also signed up: