Illegal killing has put recovery of birds of prey at risk
THE illegal killing of eagles and other birds of prey is jeopardising population numbers, MSPs were warned yesterday.
Wildlife chiefs warned that the problems keep arising at a "significant minority" of sporting estates in Scotland.
Holyrood's public petitions committee heard calls for an increase in government efforts to clamp down on illegal killings.
Stuart Housden of RSPB Scotland said: "Birds of prey enjoy widespread public support as something very special on our landscape. By the early 20th century many were extinct in Scotland or close to it.
"Some have since recovered, often aided by the efforts of conservation bodies like ourselves, but the recovery is patchy and is now jeopardised by this illegal killing."
MSPs heard that 2009 has been one of the "worst on record" with the problem, predominantly in upland areas.
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