Report from Chris Smith
First victims taken in hedgehog cull as rescue operation steps up
By David Ross in the Herald, 10 th April 2003
HEDGEHOG hunters caught and killed their first four animals early yesterday morning.
However, the hedgehog rescuers appear to be winning the race to save many of the creatures from the Scottish Natural Heritage cull.
The hedgehog lovers, who yesterday accuse SNH of now having blood on their hands, claim to have saved more than 30 animals so far. None, however, has been from North Uist, the only place the cull is being conducted this year.
The four were killed by SNH after they were spotted by a team of four "lampers" searching 60 acres of croftland in the south of North Uist.
They were put in a hessian sack, taken to an undisclosed location, where they were given a gas anaesthetic followed by a lethal injection.
The procedure is approved by the SSPCA.
More are expected to be found this morning - some in the 60 traps due to be baited for the first time last night, and others spotted by the lampers. But SNH believes only about 200 hedgehogs have made it as far north as North Uist in the 30-year march of the species from a garden in South Uist through Benbecula.
It is this northern colony of 200 that will be eradicated this year, while in the coming years the cull will be extended to the estimated 5000 thriving in Benbecula and South Uist.
George Anderson, SNH's spokesman in Uist, said yesterday: "On Monday night, we searched 100 acres, which we hoped was largely hedgehog free. We were not surprised when we did not find any animals.
"Indeed it was good news to establish there weren't any around. Last night, however, we turned our attention to a site where we knew there were hedgehogs."
He said he and the SNH trappers had very mixed feelings. "Nobody enjoys the idea of killing any animal, but it was the only way to protect the internationally important species of wading birds the hedgehogs threatened. It must be remembered that whatever happens, the hedgehogs we find will not suffer."
However, when Les Stocker, who founded St Tiggywinkles animal hospital in Buckinghamshire in 1978, heard the news of the first four fatalities he said yesterday: "My stomach has just gone to the bottom of my boots. I feel physically sick.
"We founded Tiggywinkles 25 years ago specifically to help wildlife casualties, so it is very hard to take the idea that perfectly healthy animals are now being killed.
"We had always hoped SNH would listen to reason and reconsider our proposals to relocate the hedgehogs.
"We have people out in the islands looking for the hedgehogs but, at the same time, SNH is killing them. It's appalling.
"The whole world is looking at SNH and I just hope this horrible episode doesn't tarnish the image of Scotland internationally."
Lisa Frost, one of St Tiggywinkles' volunteers in Uist, said: "We are really horrified that it has started. But we are up to 31 hedgehogs saved, with only three people claiming their £5 bounty.
"We haven't got any in North Uist yet.
"They are just coming out of hibernation, so we'll be going up there tonight."
The rescuers hope to be able to begin relocating the hedgehogs next week, when all the veterinary checks have been done.
© The Herald, April 10th 2003
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