IN A bid to crackdown on wildlife crime, NatureScot has taken the decision to restrict the use of general licences on part of the Invercauld Estate in the Cairngorms National Park.

A spokesperson for the Estate has since confirmed that they are considering appealing the decision, which was made on the basis of evidence provided by Police Scotland of wildlife crime against birds.

This included a poisoned golden eagle found on the estate in March 2021, along with a rabbit and a hare carcass, both baited with poison. The licence restriction will apply to the Gairnshiel and Micras moor on the estate, where the evidence of poisoning was found, and will extend to less than 18% of the estate.

NatureScot’s head of wildlife management, Donald Fraser, said: "These poisoning incidents are appalling and an act of animal cruelty. The indiscriminate use of poisons is not only lethal to our iconic Scottish wildlife, but can also pose a serious health risk to people and domestic animals that come into contact with it.

“We are committed to using all the tools we have available to tackle wildlife crime. In this case, there is clear evidence of criminal behaviour," he stressed. "Because of this, and the risk of more wildlife crimes taking place, we have suspended the use of general licences on this property for three years. They may still apply for individual licences, but these will be closely monitored.

“This measure will help to protect wild birds in the area, while still allowing necessary land management activities to take place, although under tighter supervision," he continued. "We believe this is a proportionate response to protect wild birds in the area and prevent further wildlife crime.

A spokesperson for Invercauld Estate commented: “Invercauld Estate abhors wildlife crime in any form and condemns such activity in the strongest possible terms.

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“NatureScot makes clear in its decision notice that the General Licence restriction does not imply responsibility on individuals or the estate itself. No accusation of wildlife crime has been made against the estate or any of its staff," they confirmed. "A number of parties other than the estate itself will be affected by the licence restriction.

“The Micras area where the eagle was discovered last year has not been managed for grouse shooting since autumn 2020 and farming and woodland management are the current priorities there. We are conservationists and the estate takes its care of wildlife and nature as inherent in the wide range of activities we undertake and facilitate. A survey in 2020 identified 1,117 pairs of breeding pairs of red and amber listed birds, the most endangered, across 37 different species - and including 33 pairs of raptors – on Invercauld land.

“The estate encompasses a wide area and the restriction notice applies to a corner amounting to less than 18% of the estate," they continued.

“We are actively considering whether to appeal NatureScot’s decision for the benefit of all parties who will be impacted.”