There is no question that the illegal killing of wildlife is unacceptable. The GWCT welcomes the insight of Scottish Natural Heritage’s report on the fates of satellite-tracked golden eagles and looks forward to scrutinising it in greater depth. We will be working with partners across the conservation sector and in government to develop policy and management that will address the issues raised in this and other reports on the conservation status of important species.
We remain closely engaged with those managing moorland for grouse shooting because our research has also shown that they can be a force for good. Heather moorland, of the sort maintained by grouse shooting, is one of the rarest habitat types in the world and we believe they are the current and future refuges for critically endangered species such as the curlew and lapwing.