The latest Chris Packham video refers to the pole trap incident on the Mossdale Estate near Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park as well as to the legal use of such traps to kill stoats Remember that family of stoats on Springwatch from Minsmere? They are regarded as vermin on a grouse moor – a moor completely dominated by shooting birds for fun.
[registration_form]4 Replies to “Did you see the latest Chris Packham video? Traps!”
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What if a group of volunteers were to occupy the area from time to time when crucial, so those practising something illegal can be photographed or filmed? I would do it. And when they leave I would remove the trap or set it off.
Dean – welcome to this blog. How would you know where to be at the right time? Thaqt’s the problem. I’d leave it to the professional – which appears to be the RSPB and LACS investigation teams.
Dean, I’ve been going on grouse moors for 50 years and I’ve still never witnessed a crime being committed although lots of crimes have been committed on those particular moors. This is what makes even widespread wildlife crime so difficult to detect and makes many of us sure only a very small proportion are ever discovered. Should you find an illegal trap report it immediately to RSPB investigations and/or the police, make it safe if you know what you are doing, photograph it BUT DO NOT REMOVE IT. IT IS EVIDENCE. I happen to know who found the traps on Mossdale Estate and that person immediately reported it to RSPB investigations with an exact location. To learn more of what to do if you suspect a wildlife crime or find any evidence look on the BAWC website.
However much we may dislike (and I do) legally set traps it is an offence to interfere with them.
Paul – while you are correct in your statement “However much we may dislike (and I do) legally set traps it is an offence to interfere with them”, I feel there is a moral obligation to intervene, same goes for snares. The hunting & shooting brigade have been openly flouting the laws for years with little fear of prosecution. sometimes you have to redress the balance.