Wildlife Conservation

Raptor Persecution: Illegal Killing on UK Grouse Moors

Raptors including hen harriers, golden eagles, and peregrine falcons are illegally killed on grouse moors to protect game bird populations — despite legal protection since 1954.

Key Facts

Hen harriers are functionally extinct as a breeding species on English grouse moors
Golden eagles in the Southern Uplands face persistent disappearances correlated with driven grouse moor proximity
Satellite-tagged raptors show suspicious disappearances correlated with driven grouse shooting areas
Despite extensive RSPB documentation, prosecutions for raptor persecution are rare
Driven grouse shooting employs intensive predator control to maximise grouse densities for shooting

Welfare Considerations

Raptors killed illegally by poisoning, shooting, or trapping experience traumatic deaths. Poisoning through contaminated bait causes prolonged suffering. Pole traps — illegal spring traps on posts — catch raptors by their legs, causing injury before death. The welfare harm to individual birds is compounded by population-level conservation impacts.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB investigations into raptor persecution and evidence submission to police
Advocate for grouse moor licensing that requires wildlife law compliance
Donate to Raptor Persecution UK and Born Free Foundation raptor monitoring
Oppose driven grouse shooting subsidy through petition and MP engagement