Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Calls for temporary ban on mountain hare culling
The government is being urged to introduce safeguards for mountain hares as a matter of urgency.

Species under threat from widespread culls, coalition warns 

Conservationists are calling for a temporary ban on the culling of mountain hares on grouse moors, as the species is suffering serious declines and even local extinctions in some areas.

A coalition of 10 environmental groups says mountain hares are being routinely culled on a large scale across many grouse moors in Scotland, despite a period of ‘voluntary restraint’.

RSPB Scotland, which is part of the coalition, believes these culls are having a serious negative effect on hare populations, causing severe declines and possibly even local extinctions in some areas. Conservationists say the Scottish Government must do more to protect the species.

Duncan Orr-Ewing, of RSPB Scotland, said: “In 2014 we had serious concerns that the notion of voluntary restraint would be ignored by many in the grouse shooting industry and, with the evidence of culls continuing on many moors over the last three years, it seems that these fears have been well founded….

“We still do not know what impact these large scale culls are having on mountain hares’ wider conservation status and this could mean that the Scottish Government may be in breach of its legally binding international obligations for this species.”

The government is being urged to introduce safeguards for mountain hares as a matter of urgency, including a temporary ban on culling, until measures can be put in place to ensure their numbers remain at a sustainable level.

Susan Davies, director of conservation at the Scottish Wildlife Trust, which is also involved in the coalition, said: “Lethal control should be halted until there is both accurate information on the number of hares culled, and the true effect of these culls on the health of the hare population is known.”

MSP Alison Johnstone is supporting the coalition’s call to safeguard mountain hares. She said: “The mountain hare is a true icon of our upland areas and an important part of our natural heritage. The unnecessary and unregulated culling of mountain hares on intensive grouse moors across Scotland is damaging populations of this species beyond recovery.

“I have previously asked the Cabinet Secretary to ban these culls, at the very least in our National Parks and I support the call from these 10 organisations…”

It is hoped the issue will be considered by an independent expert group, which will be looking at how grouse moors can be managed sustainably, and within the law.

Image © RSPB/Andrew Marshall

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.