Poisoning birds of prey

It would be interesting to learn what evidence Tony Andrews of the Scottish Countryside Alliance has for stating that it is "highly unlikely" the recent poisoning of a golden eagle was committed by a gamekeeper (Letters, 30 August).

Gamekeepers are invariably found to be responsible for the limited number of poisoned birds of prey that are actually ever found. While it is entirely possible the golden eagle killed in the Borders was poisoned some distance from where it was found, it surely cannot be a coincidence that the dead bodies of birds of prey are generally found on, or close to, shooting estates.

Where I do agree with Mr Andrews is that gamekeepers, and their representative organisations, have a role to play in eradicating such crimes against wild animals. Meanwhile, courts must impose more appropriate penalties on those found guilty of such crimes.

ROSS MINETT, Advocates for Animals, Queensferry Street, Edinburgh