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Bait trap with poison left outside
(the blue block) - easily accessible by 'non-target species' and children. |
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Bait trap with poison uncovered
- there should be a lid over the top. Also, slugs in vicinity of poison
showing other creatures are able to get into the traps. |
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Shows how the cliffs of Lundy have been cleared of greenery for 'conservation'
purposes. Could be a possible reason why the endangered seabirds are unable
to nest. |
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How a bait trap should look - lid over the top, and a wire across the
entrance to prevent larger creatures from entering. |
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A suspicious 'water trap' that was found on the island. Poison bait was
placed on a rotating pole above a dustbin filled with water, causing any
animal which ventured up there to fall in & drown. It is not known whether
this was planted by the Seabird Recovery Project. |
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Sheep grazing immediately next to loaded bait trap - these sheep are used
for 'Lundy lamb' and therefore poison could potentially enter the food chain. |
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LUNDY RATS
Undercover investigation
An undercover investigation has put the notorious
Lundy foursome to shame over their conduct of the rat eradication programme
on Lundy Island.
The so-called 'Lundy Seabird Recovery Project' consists of English Nature,
the Landmark Trust, the National Trust and the RSPB, and their aim was to make
the island rat-free by Easter. However, this does not seem to be happening.
So far only four rat carcasses have been found - this is by the foursome's
own admission! This means that either the rest of the rats have not been killed,
or they are dying underground. The latter is highly unlikely as it is a rat's
instinct to die in the open.
There may still be time to save the Lundy ship rat!
The undercover investigation revealed:
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Unmarked poison bait tubes - visitors would not have been aware what they
were.
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Poison exposed - it was supposed to be covered over with a 'lid'.
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Inadequate precautions taken to prevent poison exposure to non-target species.
There was meant to be a wire fitted to the end of the tube to stop larger
animals from entering - however this was not the case in 50% of traps.
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Livestock (sheep & chickens) grazing in immediate vicinity to exposed
poison.
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A rotting rabbit carcass - the coalition claim that their teams are regularly
clearing away dead animals.
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A water trap. This consisted of a water-filled dustbin, above which was
a baited rotating pole. When the animal climbed the pole they would slip
into the water and drown. It is not known whether the Project was responsible
for this, but if not, they should have destroyed it as it is not in line
with the eradication programme.
The Project claimed that the 'cull' would be conducted with the utmost
care and professionalism - this clearly is not the case.
- Write to the organisations involved. Their addresses
are:
English Nature
Dr Andy Brown, Chief Executive, Northminster House, Peterborough, PE1 1UA.
01733 455000, email andrew.brown@english-nature.org.uk
The Landmark Trust
Peter Pearce, Director, Shottesbrooke, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 3SW.
01628 825417, email s.wilkinson@landmarktrust.co.uk
The National Trust
Fiona Reynolds, Director General, 36 Queen Anne's Gate, London, SW1H 9AS.
0207 222 5097, email fiona.reynolds@nationaltrust.org.uk
RSPB
Graham Wynne, Chief Executive, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL
01767 680551, email graham.wynne@rspb.org.uk
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Send for some copies of Animal Aid's Lundy Rat petition. Email
us to order copies.
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Distribute our Lundy rat campaign leaflets - available
from the Animal Aid office.
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Keep in touch with the campaign - click
here for the Lundy rats campaign index.
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Become an Animal Aid member - join
online now.
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