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Hedgehog massacre planned on Scottish Islands national |
animal rights |
news report
 Thursday July 04, 2002 15:31 by Pat Corcoran
 Animal rights groups react with horror to SNH's proposals. Over 5000 hedgehogs on the Western Isles of Scotland will be killed under plans being put forward by scientists at Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the government's conservation agency.
They say that "eradication" of the hedgehog population on South Uist and Benbecula is the only way to stop them eating the eggs of ground nesting birds, which are in rapid decline. Four hedgehogs were introduced to the islands from the mainland in 1974 by a gardener who thought they might help control pests. Since then they have bred and spread to such an extent that SNH now considers them a serious threat to one of Europe's most important colonies of waders. "They have caused absolute havoc," says SNH's George Anderson. "The least cruel thing to do is to humanely kill them. It is a tough decision to take but there is no viable alternative."
The main cause is predation by hedgehogs, maintains Anderson. In North Uist, which has not yet been overwhelmed by hedgehogs, bird populations have remained relatively healthy. Animal rights organisations have reacted with horror to SNH's proposals. "It was humans who disrupted the ecological balance of Uist in the first place. We now have a responsibility to all of the islands' inhabitants to find an effective, respectful and non-lethal solution," argues Ross Minett from Advocates for Animals in Edinburgh. But SNH scientists have already dismissed all the alternatives to a mass cull. They say fencing is ineffective, sterilisation or contraception unavailable, and trapping and relocation cruel. In a paper to a meeting of the SNH main board on 9 July, they accept that the issue is "extremely sensitive" because hedgehogs are "beloved by the general public". Nevertheless they recommend "eradication of the introduced hedgehog population by humane lethal control". The method of killing is yet to be chosen.
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Comments (6 of 6)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6If their is any word on what the animal rights groups are going to do about this, please let us know and what anyone can do to help, if theres time.
Utterly disgusting and should be stopped, but can be done from Ireland?
The best thing as an Irish person I suppose would be tobring them over here and sell tthem to gardeners. They are native right? (don't kill me if I'm wrong) Might even make a profit !!!!
Yes, I agree. Bring them over to Ireland, jump over the platorms at dublin port and get some gold coins on the way.
Animal welfare is a very serious issue, it involves the defence of defenceless living beings. It is not an occasion for humour, YOU ASSHOLE!!!!
I do care about animal welfare. Do you have any bright ideas, share then. Hey the money could then be used to help other hedgehogs.
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