Wildlife

Wild Hen Harrier Persecution Campaign

Hen harriers are functionally extinct as breeding birds in England due to illegal persecution on driven grouse moors, representing a profound welfare and conservation failure.

Key Facts

England should support 300+ breeding hen harrier pairs; only a handful remain
Satellite tag data confirms systematic illegal killing on grouse moors
RSPB Skydancer and similar projects protect remaining pairs with round-the-clock monitoring
Brood management schemes controversially move harrier chicks to reduce predation on grouse
Driven grouse shooting reform is advocated as the only long-term solution

Welfare Considerations

Illegally persecuted hen harriers are shot, trapped, and poisoned - causing direct suffering and population collapse. Each persecution event represents not just a conservation crime but an animal welfare crime. The scale of persecution makes this one of the most significant ongoing wildlife welfare failures in the UK.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB campaigns to end hen harrier persecution
Advocate for driven grouse shooting reform through political engagement
Report suspicious activities near hen harrier territories to RSPB Investigations