Help us stop the killing
“The RSPB Investigations Team plays a crucial role in preventing and exposing crimes against birds of prey, but we desperately need your help to maintain this vital work.”
Mark Thomas, UK Head of RSPB Investigations
Feature
Help us stop the killing
Despite clear laws to protect them, birds of prey are still being shot, trapped and poisoned across the UK. Please support the RSPB’s Investigations Team today and help us keep these magnificent birds in our skies, where they belong.
On this page
A national disgrace
Since 2009, at least 1,344 birds of prey were victims of persecution in the UK, including Hen Harriers, White-tailed Eagles, Peregrine Falcons and Red Kites. Many incidents occur on land used for gamebird shooting, even in National Parks and other protected landscapes.
These confirmed incidents are just the tip of the iceberg.
The brutal and illegal shooting, trapping and poisoning of birds of prey is a national disgrace. It is also destabilising some raptor populations and preventing the recovery of Hen Harriers as a species. It’s as serious as that.
Watch the video:
Catching the criminals
The RSPB’s Investigations Team is dedicated to protecting birds of prey and painstakingly maintains the only long-term dataset recording all known incidents of raptor persecution across the UK. Our officers work long hours, in all weathers, often in remote areas, to follow up intelligence reports and gather evidence of crimes. We then work alongside the police to try to bring criminals to justice.
As a charity we rely on your support, and we need it now more than ever. Every penny you donate will go directly to the Investigations Team, helping us continue our vital work – investigating and challenging crimes against birds of prey, and pushing for better protection.
Please help us stop the killing by donating today – For many birds of prey, your support could mean the difference between life and death.
Hope for a brighter future
The scale of illegal persecution in the UK is shocking, but the good news is that we’re making progress. Following decades of campaigning by the RSPB and others, the licensing of grouse moors is now law in Scotland, with estates running the risk of strict sanctions if they are involved in raptor persecution. But we desperately need this to be adopted in England to ensure that, after decades of relentless persecution, our birds of prey have a brighter future.
By donating to the RSPB Investigations Team, you will be directly helping us to detect, investigate and document crimes against birds of prey.
