Shame on the Scottish Government Poor Baby Gannets
Shame on the Scottish Government Poor Baby Gannets
Last edited by Linda257 on Wed Jul 16, 2025 4:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Pardon the Scottish accent
Re: Shame on the Scottish Government
For those who ain't keen on clicking on links
Info below....poor baby Gannets
Scottish ministers are being urged to rethink a “poor decision” to grant a licence to cull hundreds of gannet chicks in the first guga hunt for four years.
Animal welfare campaigners at OneKind said the practice – known locally as the guga hunt – is “grisly” and “cruel”.
The group is urging the Scottish Government and its nature agency NatureScot to reverse the licence, which currently permits 500 of the infant birds to be culled.
The guga hunt has been an annual tradition in Ness, north Lewis, since the 15th century, with 10 men setting out for the rocky island of Sula Sgeir 40 miles away.
Uninhabited by humans, the island is home to thousands of pairs of breeding gannets, with the men spending two weeks there in August, taking the birds from open cliffs using a pole and noose, before the creatures are gutted, salted and preserved in brine.
Traditionally, the preserved birds are said to have formed an essential part of the winter diet for the people of Ness, but guga is now regarded as a delicacy by some, although it is said to be an “acquired taste”.
A NatureScot spokesperson said it recognises the “cultural significance of the guga hunt”, adding this was “reflected in the provision to licence this traditional activity through the Wildlife and Countryside Act”.
They added that 2025 is the first year it had received a licence application from the Men of Ness – who carry out the guga hunt – since 2021.
The spokesperson continued: “We have thoroughly assessed the application taking into account survey data and population analysis and we have granted a licence with a limit of 500 birds.
“This is significantly fewer than in previous years where up to 2,000 have been granted.
“This revised limit for 2025 safeguards the sustainability of the Sula Sgeir gannet population and allows for its continued recovery following avian flu.”
However, OneKind chief executive Jason Rose said: “Snatching wild baby birds from their nests and bashing their heads in, using the excuse of tradition, will appal and embarrass most people in the Western Isles and across Scotland.
“There is simply no need for this cruel activity to take place. We live in a modern society where we have many more choices about where our food comes from.
“The guga hunt is a grisly story from history that should be left in books or a museum.
“The Scottish Government and its nature agency have made a poor decision.
Info below....poor baby Gannets
Scottish ministers are being urged to rethink a “poor decision” to grant a licence to cull hundreds of gannet chicks in the first guga hunt for four years.
Animal welfare campaigners at OneKind said the practice – known locally as the guga hunt – is “grisly” and “cruel”.
The group is urging the Scottish Government and its nature agency NatureScot to reverse the licence, which currently permits 500 of the infant birds to be culled.
The guga hunt has been an annual tradition in Ness, north Lewis, since the 15th century, with 10 men setting out for the rocky island of Sula Sgeir 40 miles away.
Uninhabited by humans, the island is home to thousands of pairs of breeding gannets, with the men spending two weeks there in August, taking the birds from open cliffs using a pole and noose, before the creatures are gutted, salted and preserved in brine.
Traditionally, the preserved birds are said to have formed an essential part of the winter diet for the people of Ness, but guga is now regarded as a delicacy by some, although it is said to be an “acquired taste”.
A NatureScot spokesperson said it recognises the “cultural significance of the guga hunt”, adding this was “reflected in the provision to licence this traditional activity through the Wildlife and Countryside Act”.
They added that 2025 is the first year it had received a licence application from the Men of Ness – who carry out the guga hunt – since 2021.
The spokesperson continued: “We have thoroughly assessed the application taking into account survey data and population analysis and we have granted a licence with a limit of 500 birds.
“This is significantly fewer than in previous years where up to 2,000 have been granted.
“This revised limit for 2025 safeguards the sustainability of the Sula Sgeir gannet population and allows for its continued recovery following avian flu.”
However, OneKind chief executive Jason Rose said: “Snatching wild baby birds from their nests and bashing their heads in, using the excuse of tradition, will appal and embarrass most people in the Western Isles and across Scotland.
“There is simply no need for this cruel activity to take place. We live in a modern society where we have many more choices about where our food comes from.
“The guga hunt is a grisly story from history that should be left in books or a museum.
“The Scottish Government and its nature agency have made a poor decision.
Pardon the Scottish accent
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Jacksparrow
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Re: Shame on the Scottish Government Poor Baby Gannets
I cannot believe what I have just been reading. I don't care if it is a tradition and like other traditions such as hunting with dogs it should not be allow sanctioned. All sea birds have been devastated by Avian Flu and should be left alone to recover.
I'll make no political points but is this what the Scottish people thought they were voting for?
I'll make no political points but is this what the Scottish people thought they were voting for?
Re: Shame on the Scottish Government Poor Baby Gannets
Aye but it's "only 500" this time as apposed to 2000 wtf! I bet only a tiny percentage of people are aware of this going on so hopefully now it's hit the headlines these idiots in power will see sence . I am absolutely fuming to say the least. So much for birds being protected
Pardon the Scottish accent
Re: Shame on the Scottish Government Poor Baby Gannets
Do you think there is a petition anywhere against this? - its horrific
Re: Shame on the Scottish Government Poor Baby Gannets
I have asked my daughter to have a look around online , will let you know if she finds anything
Pardon the Scottish accent