Is it okay for the RSPB to kill foxes and crows to protect rare birds like redshank?

Question

At Berney Marsh bird sanctuary foxes and crows are shot, and trees used as cover by predatory birds such as magpies and sparrowhawks are cut down. Result- redshank up 500% lapwings up 12 pairs to 47.

Fair dos?

(This is what a redshank looks like- http://www.flickr.com/photos/shivanayak/379062579/ If you already knew, sorry, I was just curious and thought I'd share)

Answer 1

I actually work for the RSBP and this is a question I keep asking myself.

Where should mankind's interfering with wildlife stop?

Where is it justified and not justified?

Of course most people in the RSPB will say it is entirely justified, but I'm not so sure.

We don't have any hedgehogs on some reserves because we refuse to kill cute badgers, who eat hedgehogs. However, on reserves where badgers kill ground nesting birds, the badgers are swiftly dealt with away from prying eyes, as are deer. (RSPB workers look forward to venison at Christmas).

You are right to question this.

Personally I don't agree with it.

Answer 2

NO it is not ok. The reason the bird numbers are suffering is down to the constant expansion of the human race. Why don't we shoot people for causing the extinction of a species?? How ridiculous that the RSPB are willing to sacrifice one animals life for anothers. Who has the right to chose who gets to live or die??

I feel very let down by a charity that exists for animal welfare.

Answer 3

Foxes are vermin, anyone with a liscence can kill them!!! Crows/Rooks also taste nice in a pie!

Answer 4

Nature has no conscience and kills without regard to any data analysis. Man just screws up nature many times when he inserts his values.

Answer 5

although it is legally correct, I personally think that it is morally wrong. It is very much intervention in the natural order.  I am happy that the birds are alive, but maybe if they are struggling so much it is for a reason and they just aint supposed to be here anymore. Everything has to go sometime. I may take this issue up with the RSPB, thank you for informing me that this happens, I shall not be donating next year

Answer 6

No it's not.

Man kills many animals on the pretext that they're a pest, nature however is always the best judge of that.

Man only see animals as pests through greed.

Answer 7

That Bird is rare?

I  ran one over last week

Answer 8

It makes sense if rare birds would die out otherwise.

The problem is that the human population has become so numerous and greedy that many species of wildlife are dying out each year.  They are either being poisoned by our pollution or are losing their habitats because of the way in which we are disturbing natural ecosystems.

The RSPB is fighting a rear-guard action on behalf of certain species and is forced to adopt ruthless tactics in some cases.

However such tactics are certainly second best.  It would be far better to cut back pollution, protect natural eco-systems and act to reverse population growth.

Organic farming, for example, produces food in ways that work with nature rather than seek to dominate it.  It is not without an impact on the environment but at least it does not involve the wholesale spreading of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.

The fact that the RSPB has to resort to ruthless interventions is evidence of serious failings in environmental protection.  And keeping endangered species going by artificial means may mask the underlying problems of which those species are an indicator.  So lets give more attention to solving the underlying problems rather than concentrate too much on the indicator species that happen to be colourful or cuddly.

Best wishes

Answer 9

Conserving a bird is a good thing, but destroying other living things to preserve it is cruel. It's not right! Can't they relocate the crows and foxes? In preserving one animal they're going to end up wiping many more animals off the face of the earth. It's really sad. Pitiful how some humans try to do a good thing by doing something bad. It's a lot like scientists who are trying to find a cure for cancer, but they're torturing a lot of animals in the process.

Answer 10

I think as long as the RSPB are cautious with their culling and cutting it's ok. They must think that the redshank needs a bit of help to re-populate and I think that if the measures were relatively small scale it's fine. Let's face it, foxes, crows, magpies and sparrowhawks are hardly endangered so losing a few shouldn't be a problem.