The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust is running two half-day courses at Bankfoot, near Perth, on Friday 18 March covering corvid control (including vicarious liability), and tunnel trapping.
The courses are aimed at gamekeepers, land managers and wildlife managers, and provide vital skills and knowledge for the delivery of humane predator control within current legal requirements in Scotland.
The morning course will focus on humane crow control within the context of the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011, and vicarious liability; a study of legal and practical aspects of corvid control; and the uses of Larsen traps, Larsen ‘mates’ and multi-catch crow cages. There will also be particular focus on the new General Licences as effective from January 2016.
The afternoon session covers the use of tunnel traps for mustelid control and will include tunnel trapping and the law; best practice including practical trap setting; selection of trap sites and appropriate techniques for tunnel preparation and design to ensure humane performance; avoidance of non -target species; control of rats and grey squirrels; and modern trap design and changing legislation.
A short written test will conclude each session, with successful candidates receiving a GWCT certificate as important proof of knowledge to undertake all due diligence and take all reasonable steps to ensure no wildlife crime takes place whilst carrying out these management activities.
Hugo Straker, senior advisor with GWCT, says:
“The GWCT Advisory Service has been inundated with requests to host further training days on corvid control, vicarious liability, and trapping and snaring. Land managers and gamekeepers are making a tremendous effort to keep up with new legislation, and these latest courses provide them with the essential knowledge they need to carry out effective and legal wildlife management.”
Cost of each morning or afternoon session is £72 inc VAT, or £108 inc VAT if both modules are booked and taken together.
For further information and to reserve a place contact:
Irene Johnston
Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust
Tel: 01738 551511
E: scottishhq@gwct.org.uk
Notes to editors
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust is an independent wildlife conservation charity which carries out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.
For information, contact:
Playfair Walker
Telephone: 0131 445 5570
Email: richard@playfairwalker.com