ONE OF Scotland's premier birds of prey is facing almost terminal decline because government measures meant to protect it from persecution are failing.
The hen harrier, which used to be a familiar feature of the moorlands, is disappearing so fast that experts fear for its future, and have castigated the government's wildlife agency, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), for its "pathetic" response.
Scottish environment minister Michael Russell has said he is "horrified" by the decline. SNH has defended itself by promising renewed action to crack down on wildlife crime and encourage better behaviour by landowners. |
