Wildlife

Wild Raptor Illegal Persecution in the UK

Raptors including buzzards, red kites, and peregrine falcons continue to be illegally killed through poisoning, trapping, and shooting despite full legal protection.

Key Facts

All UK raptors are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Illegal poisoning using banned substances including carbofuran kills hundreds of raptors annually
Satellite-tagged raptors frequently disappear over managed grouse moors
Persecution hotspots are identified through tag disappearance mapping by RSPB and police
Vicarious liability laws in Scotland hold landowners responsible for persecution on their land

Welfare Considerations

Illegal raptor killing causes acute suffering through poisoning, trapping injuries, and shooting. Birds poisoned with carbofuran experience seizures, paralysis, and prolonged death. The deliberate targeting of legally protected birds for economic interest represents one of the most significant ongoing wildlife welfare violations in the UK. Effective prosecution and vicarious liability legislation are the most impactful deterrents.

What You Can Do

Report suspected raptor persecution to the police wildlife crime unit and RSPB immediately
Support the RSPB Investigations team and Raptor Persecution UK monitoring
Advocate for vicarious liability legislation to be extended across the whole UK