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Scottish Wildcat Action report theft and vandalism of conservation
equipment to Police - Scottish Wildcat Action An investigation is currently underway into vandalism and the theft
of property belonging to Scottish Wildcat Action in Aberdeenshire’s
Clashindarroch Forest, near Huntly. On Wednesday 27 March 2018 Scottish Wildcat Action contacted Police
Scotland after finding evidence that several of its trail cameras had
been vandalised or stolen as well as the theft of valuable information.
The project also discovered evidence that a cage trap (inactive at the
time) used for the live humane trapping (for neutering and health
screening) of feral and obviously hybridised cats, had been vandalised. This was discovered by staff and volunteers during routine visits to
wildlife monitoring sites that are part of a winter wildlife survey,
undertaken with all appropriate licenses from Scottish Natural Heritage
(SNH) and access permission from Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS). The
various incidents took place between 1 March and 27 March in
Clashindarroch Forest, near Huntly. Anyone who may have witnessed anything is asked to contact Police
Scotland quoting reference number 2301 of 27 March. Alternatively anyone
can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. SWA Priorities Area Manager, Dr Roo Campbell, commented: “We are
extremely disappointed by what has happened in Clashindarroch. Our
conservation work is crucial to the continued survival of the critically
endangered Scottish wildcat. Those responsible have not only damaged our
equipment and robbed the project of vital scientific information but
they have also curtailed work crucial to the conservation of the
Scottish wildcat. “What is particularly disappointing is the theft
of our volunteers’ information. We have nearly 50 local people
generously giving their time to help the project and they are devastated
that their hard work has been stolen. We would appeal to anyone with
information to get in touch with the Police.”
DNA breakthrough for wildlife crime -
Scottish Government Recovery of human DNA to help solve bird of prey offences. Wildlife crime investigations could be supported by new research into
retrieving human DNA found at the scene, even days after the incident
has taken place. The research was initiated by the Partnership for Action Against
Wildlife Crime (PAW) Scotland and carried out by the Scottish Police
Authority’s (SPA) Forensic Services, the Scottish Government and the
University of Strathclyde. It found DNA can be traced on traps
that have been outside for at least 10 days, and from rabbit baits and
bird carcasses at crime scenes after at least 24 hours. Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham, who is also chair of PAW
Scotland, said: “Poisoning, trapping and shooting are all methods used
to illegally target birds of prey, however investigations can often be
hampered by a lack of evidence. This new research will unlock the
potential of using DNA profiles to track criminals and could play a
crucial role in helping secure convictions for wildlife crime. We
continue to prioritise wildlife crime and are working to develop new
ways to protect our precious birds of prey, including through a new
wildlife crime detective post at Police Scotland HQ and a new team of
special constables to tackle rural crime in the Cairngorms National
Park.” Steven Ferguson, Lead Forensic Scientist at SPA Forensic Services,
said: “This exciting research in support of tackling wildlife crime
demonstrates that DNA profiles can be obtained from items exposed to the
elements in Scotland's sometimes harsh climate. In recent years,
over £6 million has been invested in new forensic capability in Scotland
including DNA24, robotics and powerful software to successfully obtain
DNA profiles in support of the Scottish justice system. The research
undertaken by PAW has demonstrated that these same techniques, used in
crimes ranging from housebreaking to murder, can also be used to
identify those involved in persecuting birds of prey.”
Mysterious mushroom mixture set to boost reforestation of the Highlands
- Trees for Life In an innovative trial beginning this spring, Trees for Life will
harness the power of local mushrooms to boost reforestation at its
Dundreggan Conservation Estate in Glenmoriston near Loch Ness. The
conservation charity’s experts and volunteers are to introduce a special
mix of spores collected from mushrooms on the Highland estate when
planting native trees on the hills and when growing seedlings in
Dundreggan’s tree nursery during this spring. A pinch of the black
granules containing the spores will be added to the planting holes of
20,000 trees in one section of the estate, and will also be applied to a
selection of seedlings.
Trees for Life's mysterious mushroom mixture
(image: Trees for Life) “In tough, windswept environments such as those where we plant, newly
planted trees need all the help they can get – especially in their early
years. This magical mushroom mixture could speed up the return of the
Caledonian Forest and its wildlife,” said Doug Gilbert, Trees for Life’s
Operations Manager at Dundreggan. Natural forest soils are full of these important fungi. But in very
deforested areas such as the Highlands, forests still containing
mushrooms are rare, small or fragmented, and are often separated by huge
swathes of farmland and moorland. This means it can take years for fungi
spores to land in the right place by newly planted trees – by which time
the trees may be stunted or dead. Last autumn, the first batch of
a new mycorrhizal fungi treatment was made containing 59 species
collected from the old-growth forests at Dundreggan by expert Jacob
Whitson. Commercially available mycorrhizal treatments for trees are
usually made from only a few mushroom species that may not be adapted to
conditions in Scotland.
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