Animal Experiments – Nutshell Film
Watch our new animation all about animal experiments!
Posted 28 Jun 2022
Posted on the 16th April 2003
The four leading conservation groups involved in the mass destruction of rats on Lundy island have been put to shame by a revealing new Animal Aid undercover video relating to the conduct of the 'cull'.
The so-called ‘Lundy Seabird Recovery Project’ consists of English Nature, the Landmark Trust, the National Trust and the RSPB. The Project’s sole aim is to eradicate all the rats on the island, including the extremely rare black rat, as they claim they are eating the eggs of seabirds, despite scientific evidence to the contrary.
There are approximately 3000 poison traps on the island, supposedly fitted with a wire to prevent access by non-target species. However, the investigation reveals that this was not the case with 50% of them! This failing greatly increases the risk of poison exposure to other species, such as the highly valued pygmy shrew, whom it is an offence to destroy under the Wildlife & Countryside Act. Similarly, the video shows sheep and chickens grazing immediately next to the poison traps, with the poison openly exposed! This presents the prospect of poison entering the human food chain via the much vaunted Lundy lamb.
The rat eradication programme began in January, and the Project maintained it would be completed by March – the beginning of the tourist season. However, it is now April and the traps are still there, despite tourists flocking in. The traps are not marked with warning signs, and there are no signs anywhere on the island warning visitors of the poisoning programme.
The Lundy warden claims that there are only 15-20 rats left on the island. However, given the fact that only four carcasses have been found, it is unclear how he arrived at this estimate. It is unlikely that the rats are dying underground, as this would be counter to their innate behaviour.
Says Animal Aid Campaigns Officer, Becky Lilly:
“It is clear that the poisoning programme has not been as effective as the Notorious Foursome would have hoped. We find it disgraceful that the poison is unmarked and fully exposed to whoever cares to touch it. Of particular concern is the fact that poison is present in areas where children play – they could easily handle the poison out of curiosity. We feel as though we have been strongly misled by the organisations involved, who implied that the cull would be taking place with the utmost care and professionalism. Hopefully, there still may be time to stop this cull and save the remaining rats!”
Watch our new animation all about animal experiments!
Posted 28 Jun 2022
Royal Ascot ends the life of at least one horse, with multiple whip offences also seen at this year’s event.
Posted 20 Jun 2022
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