Report from Fran Lockhart
Two sheep killed near Culbokie
12 th October 2002
John Cathcart and I were called out to a farm near Culbokie to look at 2 recent sheep carcasses. This is the farm that lost 5 in a week last year also at the beginning of October.
One had been completely devoured with only rib cage, fleece and two legs left. It had died within the last week but foxes had been in a stripped the carcass so it wasn't possible to ascertain how it had died.
The second one was killed on Tues/Wed with only one haunch eaten. This was typical of those killed on this farm and neighbouring farms last year. There was a little blood on one side of the neck so we skinned it right back to behind the shoulders which revealed two well defined holes about 2.5 - 3 apart and a series of smaller ones. Bruising from the would ran right down the length of the neck which I think was broken. Definitely not a dog as no sign of tearing or wool being pulled. Interestingly the foxes hadn't touched this one. Maybe it had been guarded?
Took photos before and after skinning which I will get developed next week and scanned in to send. The farmer is quite concerned that his farm is being used as a regular eating place. He quite likes the idea of a large predator lurking about and would love to see it but he is also worried that his stock is going to be affected habitually again. We discussed getting some local farmers together to exchange notes and gauge the atmosphere i.e. are they going to get annoyed at losing stock and take matters into their own hands.
This particular farmer suggested a beat through the woodland but after further thought decided it wasn't practical. Had a thorough look around the area which the sheep are in. It is a mixture of heath with tall rushes pockets of dense scrub and scattered trees over the undulating ground. Perfect hunting ground. Both carcasses were only a few yards from tall dense rushes.
Will keep you posted how things progress!
Fran Lockhart
12 th October 2002
Went back to the sheep carcass today and the foxes have been at it now. Farmer has moved the other sheep into a different field which is very open and next to his house in the hope it will pick on someone elses stock!
Fran Lockhart
13 th October 2002
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