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Carus Andiae
Small mammal
United Kingdom
667 Posts |
 Posted - 08 September 2006 : 10:31:43 AM
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Since 2003 the Uist Wader Project has been killing hedgehogs on the Uist Islands off Scotland. The Project - made up of Scottish National Heritage, the RSPB and the Scottish Executive - claims that hedgehogs, not native to the Islands and with a population grown out of control, are largely responsible for decline in native wading birds in the islands. They commissioned a "desk-based report" (their own words) which decided that translocation of hedgehogs would cause undue suffering and high levels of death amongst the animals, and therefore the kindest method would be to cull them - using dogs and shotguns, although last they they were forced to introduce more humane methods.
Numerous animal groups with extensive experience of movement of hedgehogs doubted this, but the UWP chose to go ahead.
A group was set up in opposition, Uist Hedgehog Rescue, comprising the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Trust, International Animal Rescue and Advocates for Animals. Whilst not disputing the responsibility of the hedgehogs, they argued that translocation was the kindest method of removing the animals from Uist, and initiated a rescue project, still ongoing.
As of May this year, UWP have killed 658 hedgehogs whilst UHR have rescued 756.
Three years after the cull and rescue projects began, and the overwhelming evidence is that translocation does work. The rescued hedgehogs are happily thriving and breeding (good news not just for the hedgehogs themselves but for the hedgehog population of Britain as a whole, which has for many years been in decline).
UWP, however, refuses to accept the evidence and the culling has intensified. In press reports from Scottish Natural Heritage, the highly respected charities and scientists of UHR have been painted as dangerous animal extremists, and claimed the lives of the cullers would be in danger if their identities were revealed. In fact, UHR is well aware of who the cullers are, and have been in close consultation with them to create seperate working areas to ensure there was no possibilty of conflict.
Translocation of hedgehogs has also proved cheaper - in the first year alone £90,000 of Scottish taxpayers money was spent on the culling of just 60 hedgehogs, whilst by April last year UHR had put over £3000 of voluntary donations directly back into the local community by paying £20 bounties for every hedgehog brought to their attention. Needless to say, the rescue effort is run entirely by unpaid volunteers.
Either way, it appears that having built UHR up as animal extremists UWP - and Scottish Natural Heitage in particular - are now afraid of being seen to bow to pressure from these 'extremists' - or is it simply that they are putting their own pride above the welfare of the wildlife they are supposed to protect?
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"Licat volare si super tergum aquila volat" - Any man can fly when he rides on the back of an eagle
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John Prigent
Homosapien
United Kingdom
8415 Posts |
Posted - 08 September 2006 : 12:45:23 PM
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I wonder how they know it's hedgehogs that are responsible. Maybe rats are eating the birds' eggs. After all, it used to be a "well-known fact" that hedgehogs collect fallen fruit by rolling over them so they stick on their spikes.
Cheers
John |
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Carus Andiae
Small mammal
United Kingdom
667 Posts |
Posted - 09 September 2006 : 10:29:48 AM
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Hmmm, yes. Hedgehogs are partial to eggs, as indeed are rats. And sea otters, too, I believe.
Maybe its the good people of Uist after something more exotic!  
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"Licat volare si super tergum aquila volat" - Any man can fly when he rides on the back of an eagle |
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John Prigent
Homosapien
United Kingdom
8415 Posts |
Posted - 09 September 2006 : 12:38:40 PM
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I wonder if they sing the Hedgehog Song while relocating hedgehogs. (grin)
Cheers
John |
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mjv
Invertebrate
122 Posts |
Posted - 09 September 2006 : 8:57:12 PM
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| Hedgehog Song? Terry Pratchett?? |
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John Prigent
Homosapien
United Kingdom
8415 Posts |
Posted - 10 September 2006 : 10:52:15 AM
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Of course!
Cheers
John |
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Carus Andiae
Small mammal
United Kingdom
667 Posts |
Posted - 10 September 2006 : 3:03:09 PM
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The full lyrics and indeed a recording of which can be found here: http://www.lspace.org/fandom/songs/hedgehog-song-6.html
Not suitable for children, unmarried ladies under the age of 50 (unless accompanied by a chaperone), the easily offended, the quite hard to offend, or anyone sober. 
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"Licat volare si super tergum aquila volat" - Any man can fly when he rides on the back of an eagle |
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Uist Hedgehog Rescue vs. Uist Wader Project
