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| Bird poisoning 'hot spots' marked | Bird poisoning 'hot spots' marked |
| (about 10 hours later) | |
| A map of Scotland detailing where birds of prey have been poisoned has been hailed as a significant step in the fight against wildlife crime. | A map of Scotland detailing where birds of prey have been poisoned has been hailed as a significant step in the fight against wildlife crime. |
| It is the first record of confirmed poisonings recognised by both the wildlife lobby and landowners, who have disputed the scale of the problem. | It is the first record of confirmed poisonings recognised by both the wildlife lobby and landowners, who have disputed the scale of the problem. |
| Areas within Midlothian, the Borders, the Highlands and South Lanarkshire are among those identified as "hot spots." | Areas within Midlothian, the Borders, the Highlands and South Lanarkshire are among those identified as "hot spots." |
| The map was compiled for the Scottish Government for the period 2004-2008. | The map was compiled for the Scottish Government for the period 2004-2008. |
| Environment minister Michael Russell described the persecution of birds of prey as "appalling." | Environment minister Michael Russell described the persecution of birds of prey as "appalling." |
| Confirmed poisonings | |
| He said: "While I am pleased to see there has been an overall improvement in poisoning incidents the map clearly shows it remains a problem in parts of Scotland. | He said: "While I am pleased to see there has been an overall improvement in poisoning incidents the map clearly shows it remains a problem in parts of Scotland. |
| "Our wildlife is precious and deserving of our protection. Simply put, a crime against Scotland's natural heritage is a crime against Scotland. | "Our wildlife is precious and deserving of our protection. Simply put, a crime against Scotland's natural heritage is a crime against Scotland. |
| "I applaud those involved for involved for working together on this important issue and hope their efforts will result in a safer Scotland for our birds of prey." | "I applaud those involved for involved for working together on this important issue and hope their efforts will result in a safer Scotland for our birds of prey." |
| The map, which used data from the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency (SASA), only shows incidents of confirmed poisoning cases. | The map, which used data from the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency (SASA), only shows incidents of confirmed poisoning cases. |
| The locations of incidents are not exact and could have happened within a 1km radius, this is in recognition of the fact that birds may travel some distance after ingesting poison. | The locations of incidents are not exact and could have happened within a 1km radius, this is in recognition of the fact that birds may travel some distance after ingesting poison. |
| Duncan Orr-Ewing, head of species and land management for RSPB Scotland, said there was no place for illegal poisoning in Scotland. | Duncan Orr-Ewing, head of species and land management for RSPB Scotland, said there was no place for illegal poisoning in Scotland. |
| He said: "We will work hard with responsible land managers, the police and the Scottish Government to resolve this problem, which blights the otherwise good reputation of people working across the countryside." | He said: "We will work hard with responsible land managers, the police and the Scottish Government to resolve this problem, which blights the otherwise good reputation of people working across the countryside." |
| Douglas McAdam, chief executive of the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA), said the map would be a useful tool | Douglas McAdam, chief executive of the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA), said the map would be a useful tool |
| He said: "With the publication of this report, we have moved to a position where we are looking at official government verified facts, rather than unofficial reports, where often incidents that might not be illegal are captured in the reported persecution statistics." | He said: "With the publication of this report, we have moved to a position where we are looking at official government verified facts, rather than unofficial reports, where often incidents that might not be illegal are captured in the reported persecution statistics." |
| The species of birds confirmed as poisoned and included in the incidents are red kite, buzzard, golden eagle, tawny owl, and peregrine falcon. | The species of birds confirmed as poisoned and included in the incidents are red kite, buzzard, golden eagle, tawny owl, and peregrine falcon. |