Injured Fox in my garden - what to do.

[Cubist]

A Gamekeeper was done by RSPCA for killing several birds of prey last year IIRC and another plus the landlord were both fined for similar offences. Certainly the view of the Wildlife Trusts and RSPCA is that there are some gamekeepers who firmly believe that a hooked beak deserves death. My local Photogroup had a speaker last year who showed the video evidence, filmed by remote camera by the RSPCA on behalf of the local police, of the first of the above trapping and then clubbing to death several Buzzards.

I know not all follow the old ways on birds of prey but sadly some do.

And there's the rub.

The practices do continue in some places, and it is this aspect of the sport that discredits the very real and committed work of the rest of us. However, five million acres of UK land are managed for shooting in one way or another. The estimate is getting on for two thirds of the countryside.

What Raptor watch et al never mention is the fact that waders, lapwing, curlwew and other ground nesting species thrive better on managed moorland than they do on moors allowed to return to natural state, or even worse reforested.

However, BASC and the NGO will vocally condemn these practices, and rightly so. There is a suggestion that some 'keepers act in the belief that their task is to protect the grouse at all costs, and less scrupulous landowners will turn a blind eye or even encourage such abhorrent protection of their investment. While it is right to publicise such practice, it should be seen as such. The issue begins when interest and pressure groups focus their attention solely on that aspect, claiming it to be widespread indicative of the behaviour of all 'keepers and shooters. It isn't.

BASC estimate that five million acres are managed for shooting sports in the UK. Conservation efforts on those shoots total well in excess of the total money and effort spent on wildlife reserves. There are some interesting facts in this film.

View: https://youtu.be/Om4UbLOD2J0

 

[byegad]

Additionally several Hen Harrier pairs had chicks which died after the male was killed last year. At least one of those males was later found shot.

 

[ufkacbln]

Additionally several Hen Harrier pairs had chicks which died after the male was killed last year. At least one of those males was later found shot.

I used to work with a Falconer who rescued shot birds, I would x-ray to assess pellets or fractures

One of the problems was that as they often hover, these birds are easy targets

Less challenging and therefore more popular than more difficult birds

 

[ufkacbln]

Pie?

 

[Milkfloat]

Anyone who wants to shoot birds and/ or other wildlife for "sport" is just plain sick in the head. Only cruel and evil types would be involved in this.Any decent, compassionate person would have nothing to do with it.
Does anyone know what the outcome was with the fox please?

He fell off his high horse and broke his neck. No vets were made millionaires or inconvenienced.

 

[ufkacbln]

Never understood why anyone would want to shoot birds of prey - magnificent creatures.

It was commonly bored Yoof with air pistols

 

[Cubist]

Anyone who wants to shoot birds and/ or other wildlife for "sport" is just plain sick in the head. Only cruel and evil types would be involved in this.Any decent, compassionate person would have nothing to do with it.
Does anyone know what the outcome was with the fox please?

Are you a vegetarian?

I have a close relative who works in an abattoir. He also shoots. Knowing how animals are slaughtered for meat he tells me the death of a game bird, or a rabbit or deer is far far preferable to even the most humane and skilled slaughtering.

If you are a vegetarian, then I applaud your convictions.