Killing the Skydancer: episode two, The Perfect Crime
Aug 16, 2023
26:29
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Investigating crimes against birds of prey, difficulties in gathering evidence, arranging an interview, the mysterious death of Susie and her chicks, and the mystery of the bird's nest camera.
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Quick takeaways
The illegal killing of birds of prey on grouse moors poses significant challenges for investigation and prosecution due to remote locations and lack of evidence.
Partnerships with landowners and obtaining permission to access private land are crucial for protecting hen harriers and balancing wildlife conservation with shooting industry organizations.
Deep dives
Challenges in Investigating Wildlife Crimes
The podcast highlights the difficulties faced in investigating wildlife crimes, particularly raptor persecution. It explores how evidence collection and prosecution are hindered by the remote locations, lack of witnesses, and the ability of the perpetrators to hide their identities or use masks. The podcast also discusses the frustrations faced by conservationists and wildlife crime investigators, who struggle to see perpetrators held accountable due to the lack of evidence and low prosecution rates.
Natural England's Role in Hen Harrier Conservation
The podcast delves into Natural England's role in protecting hen harriers, particularly in the context of grouse moor management. It emphasizes the importance of partnerships with landowners and how obtaining permission to access private land for monitoring nests is crucial. The episode also reveals Natural England's commitment to finding a balance between wildlife conservation and maintaining relationships with landowners and shooting industry organizations.
Impact of Raptor Persecution on Hen Harrier Populations
The podcast examines the impact of raptor persecution on hen harrier populations by drawing attention to specific cases, such as the crushing of Susie's chicks. While the podcast recognizes some progress in hen harrier conservation, it underlines the devastating consequences of these crimes and the harm they cause to conservation efforts and public perception of the shooting industry. It further highlights the ongoing challenges in tackling raptor persecution, the need for stronger penalties, and the importance of continued monitoring and protection of hen harriers.
In this special Age of Extinction mini-series from Science Weekly, Guardian biodiversity reporter Phoebe Weston explores the murky world of the illegal killing of birds of prey on grouse moors, and asks why it is so difficult to solve these crimes. In episode two, Phoebe speaks to the people trying to protect these rare birds, but as she digs deeper encounters a surprising silence around the killing of Susie’s chicks. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod
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