News

15 December 2002

Animal campaigners condemn proposed hedgehog slaughter

Advocates for Animals and other animal protection organisations are calling on Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to abandon plans to slaughter thousands of hedgehogs on the Western Isles. SNH’s Scientific Advisory Committee has recommended three options for managing the hedgehog populations, which will be discussed by its Main Board at a meeting on Tuesday 17th December. All of the options involve the mass slaughter of healthy hedgehogs.

The well-respected animal organisations, hedgehog and wildlife experts and animal rescue centres are urging SNH’s Board to reject all three lethal options that have been suggested. Instead, they have proposed a trial relocation of some of the hedgehogs to the mainland. All healthy hedgehogs could eventually be moved to selected homes on the mainland.

Hedgehogs are not native to the Western Isles but a few were introduced 30 years ago. Their population at present is estimated to be 5,000. The conflict has arisen because the Western Isles have internationally important breeding populations of wading birds, which it is claimed are being threatened by the hedgehogs eating their eggs.

In July, responding to public outcry, SNH’s Board rejected ordering the hedgehogs’ slaughter. Animal campaigners are furious that mass slaughter is again being considered by SNH.

Advocates for Animals has written to SNH’s Board members expressing its opposition to the slaughter. It has also contacted the RSPB and the Scottish Executive, the other partners of the Uist Wader Project, the group formed to conserve the wading bird populations.

Advocates for Animals Campaigns Director, Ross Minett, said: "Whilst we appreciate that the Uists and Benbecula have important populations of wading birds, Advocates for Animals and many other respected organisations, are calling for a non-lethal, humane solution to the problem. SNH, as a Government-funded organisation, is ultimately answerable to the taxpaying public. We believe that the vast majority of the public support our opposition to the proposed mass slaughter of our wildlife."

St Tiggywinkles Director, Les Stocker, said: "We are calling on SNH, at this eleventh hour, to reject all three recommended lethal options as there is a wealth of expertise available fully experienced in saving hedgehogs and releasing them into suitable habitats all over Britain"

Notes to Editors
For further information please contact: Advocates for Animals on 0131 225 6039 (Out of Hours: 07946 517585 or 07971 590337); St Tiggywinkles on: 01844 290494

Advocates for Animals’ Campaigns Director, Ross Minett, will be present at SNH’s Board meeting, at Battleby, Redgorton, nr Perth on Tuesday 17th December. The Uist Wader Project is scheduled to be discussed from 10.45-11.45am.

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