FROM PROTECT THE WILD — ROYAL PRIVILEGE VERSUS RIGHT TO ROAM

Can't see this message? View in browser   The New-Old Power in the Countryside For centuries, England has been the preserve of the few. Aristocratic estates, the manors of the gentry, royal parks: all form a web of privilege and inheritance which too often shape our landscapes, as well as who gets to belong in them. We were reminded of this last week, following Prince William and Princess Kate’s move to Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park, resulting in hundreds of acres of formerly accessible woodland being closed to the public. A ‘serious organised crime’ designation is due to come into force, enabling the immediate arrest of all found trespassing. Kate has spoken recently of the “spiritual and very intense emotional reconnection” that comes from experiencing nature. But is that consistent with removing even more of the countryside from public availability? Meanwhile, Kate’s sister, Pippa Middleton, has blocked footpath access on her 145 acre estate in West Berkshire, after evicting all the residing tenants. The old, feudal order remains. But today it is also being joined by a new force: the corporate bodies, pension trusts and speculative funds which are quietly buying up swathes of land and banking it to turn a profit. Last month the Government announced plans for a string of New Towns. One of them, Adlington, caught our attention. The land there has been held for the past two years by Belport Ltd, the same asset management company that recently purchased the Bridehead Estate in Dorset. Earlier this summer they shut off public access and brought fear of eviction to the residents whose tenancies are tied to the estate. A perusal through one of Belport’s many subsidiary company accounts for Adlington Hall, reveals that under ‘financial risks and mitigations for the investment’, “the business plan is to agree lease surrenders with long notice periods to maintain rental income while planning opportunities are explored.” In some cases, the old and the new are being brought together – and finding political expression. When Cirencester Park was paywalled last year, prompting a major response from our campaign, we were intrigued to discover that the Bathurst Estate’s former development director was Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK. His tenure oversaw a lucrative property deal whereby 300 acres of the Estate were sold for development. Yet since the proceeds of the sale were placed in an offshore trust based in Bermuda, they would avoid the associated capital gains tax. Perhaps they borrowed the idea from Lord Salisbury (Robert Gascoyne-Cecil), who in 2021 also tried to remove public access from his estate at Hatfield House. The family had previously “relocated” 2,000 acres of their English landholdings into an offshore trust in Jersey. The primary beneficiaries of the Tice deal - the Bathursts - have further form when it comes to access. Leafing through the archives of the now defunct Countryside Agency, we found letters from the late Earl Bathurst objecting to the nascent Countryside and Rights of Way Act (introducing a partial right to roam to England) on the grounds that - among other things - "the principle of dedicating public access in perpetuity over private land is totally unacceptable". Ironically, this was precisely the intention of his ancestor who purchased the land in the first place (mostly with proceeds from the slave trade), who presented the now paywalled park as a gift to the people of Cirencester. While the actual land of England is reduced to tax-deductible assets and private retreats for the super-wealthy, perhaps it’s fitting that those responsible are also busy fencing off Englishness itself, and selling it back to us draped in a cheap plastic flag. New DEFRA Secretary Last month we shared news of an impending Green Paper on access reform, due for open consultation this autumn. Since then, Angela Rayner’s departure from the government prompted a reshuffle and we now have a new DEFRA Secretary in post, Emma Reynolds – the tenth in ten years! As a result, the consultation has been delayed. Her inaugural speech at Labour conference did touch on access, noting that “a walk in the woods, a hike over the hills, a dip in the sea. These are the things that make life worthwhile. These are the things that make us proud to be British” and she invoked “the Kinder Scout trespassers led by workers from Sheffield and Manchester who fought and won the right to enjoy nature”. We have written to her suggesting ways these words might be made more than tokenistic… APPG Enquiry In the meantime, steady progress is being made on other fronts. The recently established APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) on Outdoor Recreation and Access to Nature has released the results of its first inquiry, with a strong headline call for the expansion of statutory rights of access, alongside other measures to improve the public’s access to nature. We submitted detailed evidence to the enquiry and are pleased this was at least partly reflected in the conclusions. AFFLO on Farmarama Podcast Chris Jones is a dairy farmer based in Cornwall and a member of our Access Friendly Farmers and Landowners group (AFFLO). If you’re in need of a lift, listen to Chris talk passionately about his experiences of being part of this group, as well as how he sees the campaign in the context of his work - he articulates beautifully the challenges, opportunities and responsibilities for landowners and farmers. Give it a listen (from 18:45 minutes) and pass it on! (Temporary!) goodbye to Jess, Welcome to Holly Jess, who leads our social media, is leaving us for four months while she hikes the entire length of Aotearoa! While Jess communes with the wood elves we’re delighted that Holly Astle, one of the powerhouses at Right to Roam Kernow, will be stepping into her boots. Holly is a nature illustrator, graphic designer and an experienced environmental campaigner. She’s also been involved with Right to Roam since our very first trespass. Welcome Holly! Local Group Updates Our local groups are incredibly busy - lots of events are in the works with a series of river trespasses planned over the coming weeks. More on these to follow in our next newsletter. In the meantime, here’s a few to whet the appetite: Right to Roam West Yorkshire ran a packed-out Wild Service Festival last week celebrating creativity, community and connection to nature through talks, art and workshops. The festival brought together local residents, community representatives and campaigners to explore how acts of wild service can nurture both people and the land. If you missed out, West Yorkshire will be doing a river walk and trespass along the River Aire. Meeting 9.45am for a 10am depart, Sat Nov 29th - Apperley Bridge Train station, BD10 0NT. Route just under 4 miles. RtR North West will walk along the river Bollin on Sunday 9th November, meeting at 2pm for a 2-3h walk. Exact location to be disclosed near the date - check on their instagram for details. RtR South Devon will be heading out to explore the River Dart on Sunday 2nd November - email for more details. RtR Wiltshire and Somerset will be out on the River Avon on the 16th November - more details to follow, also on their Instagram and mailing list. Finally, RtR Norfolk are looking for more people to take the lead on organising the events and actions for their group. If you've had experience organising with community or grassroots groups or you're good with admin and like working with people, then get in touch, please email Nadia: nadia@righttoroam.org.uk That's all for now - more next week. Lewis & Jon --- We’ve been campaigning for bold new access legislation for five years, and with the help of the generous support of a few hundred subscribers - each donating around £5-£10 a month - we’ve been mostly able to remain untethered to the demands of grant funding and fundraising. If you feel you could become one of our monthly supporters to keep us agile and focused, please head over to our website: www.righttoroam.org.uk/donate For the latest campaign updates, follow us on Instagram & Bluesky To get involved with campaign action, check out our website here. Want to become a Right to Roam supporter? Head here. Take Action Visit our social accounts Check out our site   This email was sent from this site. If you no longer wish to receive this email, change your email preferences here.

FROM PROTECT THE WILD — SIGN PETITION TO BAN CATAPULTS IN THE WILD

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Petition launched to protect wildlife from catapults needs your support OCT 29 READ IN APP A petition, demanding a change of law to protect wildlife from catapult attacks, needs your signature. Launched by Christopher Smith of Greenwich Wildlife Network, the petition calls for new legislation, making it an offence to carry a catapult in public without a licence. The petition has gained more than 12,000 signatures in less than a week, and with your help it can reach the 100,000 signatures desperately needed. It reads: “Catapults are increasingly linked to assaults, criminal damage, and rising wildlife attacks. Making public possession an absolute offence like air rifles with age checks, and a licensing scheme for legitimate uses like angling, would give police stronger powers.” Sign the petition Catapults maim and kill wildlife Greenwich Wildlife Network founder, Rae Gellel, wrote: “Watching the [petition] numbers climb has been so heartening and shows just how many people care about ending this senseless cruelty. What’s not heartening, however, are the daily reports we’re still receiving of animals being maimed and killed for entertainment - multiple parakeets killed in Danson Park, and a squirrel killed this evening in Orpington. I’m not exaggerating when I say this is constant. The reports never stop. The same culprits, over and over.” Indeed, there has been a horrifying rise in catapult attacks on animals. Protect the Wild previously reported: “According to the RSPCA, Kent has become a hotspot for the use of catapults over the past years. The county has had the second-highest number of incidents after London. Across the UK, the organisation reported that 896 incidents of similar attacks on animals with catapults, airguns and crossbows had been reported to them between 2020 and 2023.” Meanwhile, a recent BBC investigation reported on young people under 18 “inflicting wildlife, animals and people with devastating injuries [with catapults].” The BBC stated: “Catapult crimes are not included in official statistics, so BBC Verify sent Freedom of Information requests to police forces in England and Wales, asking for crime records which mentioned the words “catapult” or “slingshot”. According to responses from 37 out of 43 forces, about 7,200 crime records from the five years to the end of 2024 mentioned the words.” Sign the petition With your help, we can make catapults illegal Although similar previous petitions have garnered much support from the public, they haven’t received enough signatures to force a debate in parliament. Opposing a previous petition, the government stated: “catapults are also routinely used by members of the public enjoying legitimate pastimes, in particular for anglers when propelling fishing bait.” That’s why Greenwich Wildlife Network is calling for the licensing of catapult usage in this latest petition. After all, anglers already need a rod fishing licence in order to fish. Although current legislation can, in theory, prosecute those who cause kill or injure an animal with a catapult, in practice it isn’t enough to secure enough convictions. Under current legislation, individuals can defend themselves against charges of possessing a weapon by proving they had ‘reasonable excuse’ or ‘lawful authority’ to possess it. The government previously stated: “under provisions in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and The Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996, the police have broad powers to deal with offences where unnecessary suffering and injury is inflicted on wildlife, including cases involving the misuse of catapults.” Despite this, the murders continue and the headlines keep appearing on our screens. Children using catapults to kill and torture animals before sharing ‘sick’ images on WhatsApp is one such gruesome news piece. Of course, we have seen time and time again that this Labour government won’t act for wildlife unless it is forced to. That’s why we all need to sign this petition, get it to 100,000, and force politicians to debate this in parliament. Sign the petition here! Sign the petition Help power the fight for British wildlife We’re funded entirely by kind people like yourself. We don’t have major donors or govt backing and so that’s why over the coming weeks you’ll see us doing all that we can to push our 2026 Wildlife Calendar. It’s just such a great way for us to raise funds and you get an awesome calendar in return! :) Packed with beautiful wildlife photos taken by our incredible supporters! Shout out to Martin Yelland for this gorgeous pic we chose for the month of March! Protect the Wild Calendar SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing

FROM WILD JUSTICE — A WIN FOR COSTS GOING AGAINST NATURAL ENGLAND

Good morning, Last week we heard the brilliant news that Natural England’s attempt to hike our court costs for our upcoming legal challenge on Badger culls was blocked. Today, we can share with you the firm, and somewhat scathing, judgement handed down by The Honourable Mr Justice Fordham. Firstly, and because this has gone on for a while now, let’s look at the story so far… Where are we up to with our legal challenge against Natural England’s supplementary Badger cull licences? In 2024: July 2nd: Wild Justice and Badger Trust sent a pre-action letter to Natural England. August 8th: Following Natural England’s unsatisfactory response to our pre-action letter, we lodged our application for judicial review at the High Court. September 24th: Natural England applied to the court to have our costs cap raised for our legal challenge. November 4th: The Honourable Mr Justice Sweeting rejects our application for judicial review. November 8th: We lodge an appeal against this decision. In 2025: May 15th: The Honourable Mr Justice Fordham upholds our appeal and gives permission for our challenge to proceed. May 29th: We crowdfunded over £50k from you – our supporters - towards the costs of our case. October 16th: Natural England’s attempt to increase our costs failed in court. Our costs cap remains in place. December 16th & 17th: Our case is set to be heard in the High Court! The judgement Yesterday we received the full written judgement on our costs hearing, handed down by The Honourable Mr Justice Fordham. We have uploaded this document on our blog; it makes an interesting, if not lengthy and legally technical read – click here for the full judgement. In this newsletter we thought we’d bring you the highlights and some of our favourite quotes from the judge. “Skilfully constructed and presented as it was, I have had no hesitation in rejecting the application.” To decide whether the costs cap should be increased for Badger Trust and for us, as per Natural England’s request, Mr Justice Fordham had to consider two points. These were: Affordability: The judge had to assess if an increase in the level of the cap would make the case too expensive for Wild Justice and/or Badger Trust to continue with it. Reasonableness: The judge then had to assess whether an increase in the level of the cap would be ‘reasonable’, on an objective basis. This meant taking into account factors like how important our case on Badgers is for the environment, how strong our case is, and the effect this might have on our ability to bring future cases. Affordability: When it came to looking at affordability, the finances of both Wild Justice and Badger Trust were scrutinised in detail in court by Natural England for a significant amount of time – something noted by Mr Justice Fordham: “A considerable portion of a 3-hour hearing of the costs cap arguments – preceded by written submissions and pre-reading – were devoted to this exercise.” By taking the time to go to such levels of scrutiny, Natural England made the judge consider the implications of this approach, i.e. should it become something that happens regularly ahead of environmental legal challenges? “…I should be transparent. I was left feeling that it would not be a good thing for access to environmental justice if this sort of exercise were to become an established feature; still less a new norm.” Ultimately, on the point of affordability, Mr Justice Fordham concluded that increasing the cap could force both Wild Justice and Badger Trust to withdraw from the case. And, even if either part could technically afford it, it wouldn’t leave Wild Justice or Badger Trust in a good position. “If there is real-world affordability for a higher cap, it comes at a heavy cost." Objective Reasonableness: On the second point, the judgement is even clearer; increasing the caps for the case was not considered to be reasonable on an objective basis, with Mr Justice Fordham being left ‘wholly unpersuaded’ by Natural England’s argument. “Even if I were to assume in Natural England’s favour that what can be shown is […] real-world affordability […] I have still been left wholly unpersuaded by Natural England as to […] objective unreasonableness.” Perhaps most importantly for us, and for wider environmental challenges, Mr Justice Fordham recognised the importance of maintaining access to justice for individuals, community groups and organisations. “What is at stake is important for these two NGOs. It is also of real importance for the environment.” Recognising the significant financial commitment of undertaking legal challenges, whether won or lost, he explained that effective access to justice does not mean doing a legal case, going bust and having to start up again. “It is in the interests of access to environmental justice, with its public interest imperative, that NGOs like Wild Justice and Badger Trust should retain the viability to be “repeat players”. Objective reasonableness does not mean room for one, or even two, more cases. Proper access to environmental justice for a responsible NGO cannot mean a system of limited “credits”, after which the NGO is bust or effectively excluded, with the environment unprotected until someone has the energy to start up a new NGO with a new set of “credits”. Space to be a repeat player does not mean litigating everything with no ceiling and no filter.” And, in a significant and clear conclusion, Mr Justice Fordham outlined perfectly the reason why we bring these cases - for the environment (and wildlife) at the heart of our causes: “Finally, the signals which the law gives in environmental judicial review cases matter. Especially when the rationale of environmental costs caps is to avoid inappropriate deterrence or chilling effects. All of which is because something bigger than all of us is at stake: the environment which we share with each other, and with others, and for which we are responsible.” Suffice to say, we are pleased – and buoyed – by the results and content of this judgement. You can read our full press release, and the full judgement, on our blog here. It is right that organisations (and individuals, and community groups) be able to defend the environment in the courts, and for cost not to be a deterrent to them doing so. Natural England’s latest attempt to scare us away from challenging their unscientific supplementary Badger culls has failed – now we look forward to presenting our full case, with costs cap in place, at the High Court in December. We’ll leave you with one more quote, this time from Natural England’s blog, responding to their lost case: “We have never looked to use the procedure in the Civil Procedure Rules to increase a costs cap before and we might never make this sort of application again.” Good! Wild Justice (CEO: Bob Elliot. Directors: Chris Packham and Ruth Tingay). This is the 254th Wild Justice newsletter. This email was sent to you because you subscribed to it through the Wild Justice website or through an e-action or a petition where you ticked a box. Thank you. We will only use your personal details to send you the Wild Justice newsletter. We will not give or sell your details to anyone else. You can unsubscribe at any time: there is an unsubscribe button at the foot of this email or you can reply to this email and ask us to remove you from the list (the former will happen immediately, the latter might take a few days). 124, City Road London Greater London EC1V 2NX UNITED KINGDOM Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options

FROM PROTECT THE WILD — LEGAL CHALLENGE AGAINST THE BADGER CULL WILL BE HEARD

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more SUCCESS! Legal challenge against badger cull licensing gets go ahead Natural England is being hauled into court over its outrageous decision to authorise culls last year PROTECT THE WILD MAY 20 READ IN APP A legal challenge against Natural England's granting of badger cull licences in 2024 is going ahead, after a judge gave permission for the claim to be heard in the High Court. Protect the Wild is thrilled by this news as it offers hope that the body will be held to account over its outrageous decision to grant these licences. In mid-2024, conservation ecologist Tom Langton discovered through Freedom of Information requests that Natural England had approved cull licences in May that year against the advice of its own Director of Science, Dr Peter Brotherton. The licences in question were for supplementary culls, meaning the continued killing of badgers after four years of "intensive" slaughter operations in those areas. Brotherton had advised Natural England that there was no justification for authorising the supplementary culls to tackle bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in cows. In his opinion, the steps already taken, along with cow-focused measures, such as on-farm biosecurity practices, and badger vaccination, rendered further badger killing in these areas unnecessary. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) had other ideas. Despite describing its bTB policy as "adaptive," it effectively warned Natural England against making "abrupt changes to policy." DEFRA said that such changes would "seriously undermine our ability to engage constructively with the industry on future disease control interventions." Ultimately, Natural England danced to DEFRA's tune, rather than that of its own scientific director, by authorising the supplementary culls in question. Full speed ahead for judicial review In August, the Badger Trust and Wild Justice launched a judicial review challenge over the matter, arguing that the licences were unlawfully granted. Although their application for a judicial review was initially rejected, it has recently been reconsidered and granted permission to proceed at the High Court. The wildlife groups are represented by Leigh Day and the hearing should take place later this year. The groups are challenging Natural England's decision on several grounds. First, they argue that the body exercised its power for an "improper purpose," namely maintaining the confidence of farmers. As preventing the spread of disease is the proper purpose for which Natural England's power should be exercised in this situation, the groups say the body used its power unlawfully. Additionally, the groups argue that Natural England considered "legally irrelevant" factors in its decision-making, such as DEFRA's concerns about how its relations with the farming industry would be affected. Finally, Wild Justice and the Badger Trust assert that the body failed to offer "adequate and rational reasons" for authorising the culls after Brotherton concluded there was no scientific justification for doing so. Summing up the situation, Wild Justice co-director Chris Packham said: " The science says ‘no’, the chief scientist therefore said ‘no’, but DEFRA said ‘yes’, and thousands of badgers were unnecessarily and cruelly killed. Just to keep farmers ‘happy’." Badger Trust CEO Nigel Palmer also commented that the court's "landmark decision" to allow the case to proceed "casts doubt on Natural England’s ability to act in the interest of nature and wildlife." As Wild Justice's co-director Dr Ruth Tingay pointed out, the decision puts Natural England in "a very difficult situation" as it considers whether to grant more authorisations this year to kill badgers. Tingay said: "It would be sensible for Natural England to defer any decision about future cull licences until this case concludes." Protect the Wild couldn't agree more that licensing decisions should be deferred. Better still, just scrap them all with immediate effect. Natural England's core purpose is to "help conserve, enhance and manage the natural environment." But when it comes to the badger cull, the body’s actions make it better suited to being a dystopian agency in an Orwell novel (its motto might read something like 'destroy to conserve, degrade to enhance, and wreck to manage') than on the frontlines of the UK's biodiversity crisis. If the body wants to start picking up the pieces of its tattered reputation, deferring the licences would be a good place to start. We Did It — 100,000 Voices for Badgers! The pressure is really on the government now! Thanks to you, our govt petition to end the badger cull has just surpassed 100,000 signatures — the threshold needed to trigger a debate in Parliament. The petition closes on 25th May - if you haven’t signed it there is still time! In combination our petition and this judicial review is a massive moment in our fight to protect one of Britain’s most iconic wild animals. Thank you. Sign the petition to end the Badger cull SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing

BUMBLEBEE CONSERVATION — MUCH TO DO FOR OUR WINTERING QUEENS — TAKE THEIR ADVICE

view online Bumblebee Conservation Trust logo Montage of images including bumblebees, people and flowers Hello, It's officially autumn! The weather might be cooling down as we move out of summer and towards the end of the growing season but bumblebees are still active and we are just as busy, working across the UK to bring about positive change for bumblebees. This month we bring you news of a big change to come from our Chief Executive Officer, Gill Perkins, alongside details of how you can help fight against the decline of bumblebees. We also bring you an update of our work across the UK and hands-on tips and ideas for how to help bumblebees in your garden or local green spaces. Read on to find out more 👇 A fond farewell to CEO Gill Perkins image of a bumblebee on a pale purple flower with a smaller of Gill Perkins In February 2026, our Chief Executive Officer, Gill Perkins, will be stepping down to take her well-deserved retirement. The Bumblebee Conservation Trust has been under Gill's dedicated leadership for ten years, during which time the Trust has grown to become the leading voice for bumblebee conservation in the UK. Reflecting on her time as CEO, Gill said: “Every day, I’ve been inspired by the people around me – the staff, volunteers, supporters – all of whom care deeply about bumblebees and our environment. I’ve always believed that people are the key to our success, and I’m proud to have helped nurture a love of bumblebees in so many. I feel privileged to have played my part in one short chapter of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, and I’m excited for my successor, who has the amazing opportunity to write the next part of the Trust’s wonderful story.” Angela Style, Chair of the Board of Trustees, paid tribute to Gill’s leadership: “Gill has been a visionary and compassionate leader, guiding the Trust through a decade of growth and impact. Her ability to connect people to our mission and inspire action has been extraordinary." The Trust is now beginning the search for a new Chief Executive Officer, who will join the organisation at a very exciting time as 2026 will also mark the 20th anniversary of the Trust. If you know someone who might be perfect for the position, please feel free to share with them. The deadline for applications is 2nd October 2025. Find out more about the CEO vacancy Declaration on UK Insect Declines Crisis Five people on stage at the Wild Summit event On 11th September we were delighted to join some of you at the Wild Summit in Bristol where, together with Buglife and Butterfly Conservation, we held a panel event to discuss how we can solve insect declines. During the event, we announced The Bristol Declaration on the UK Insect Declines Crisis🚨 Backed by over 60 organisations and influential people, the declaration calls for change across governments, land managers, businesses, and the general public because: 🐝 Insects are essential for our world to function. 🐞 They pollinate crops and wild plants, recycle nutrients, maintain healthy soils, control pests, and form the base of the food web for birds, bats, fish, and other wildlife. but 🐝 Bumblebees declined by almost a quarter (22.5%) in 2024 – the worst year on record since BeeWalk surveys began. 🦋 Butterflies also had their worst year on record in 2024 and have struggled to bounce back in 2025, despite ideal weather – a sign of deep environmental stress. 🪰 Flying insects have fallen by almost two thirds (63%) since 2021, based on Bugs Matter surveys. We can turn the tide on this if we all work together to 🌱 Restore insect-friendly habitats ⛔ Cut harmful pesticide use 🛡️ Protect key species and ecosystems 🔬 Invest in science and education 📈 Make the UK a leader in insect recovery Senior Science and Policy Officer, Darryl Cox, said, “This declaration is about coming together to say that insects are vital for nature to function, that there is already an overwhelming amount of evidence to show they are in crisis, and that we must act now to help them.” Will you join us in being part of the solution? Find out more about the Declaration🔍 Sponsor a Species 🐝 Bumblebees on purple flowers In the last century, the UK has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows, leading to the extinction of two bumblebee species. Today, eight species risk that same fate. With your support, we’re already leading the fight to save bumblebees but we need to do more. We’ve developed a Species Recovery Programme to help secure the future of rare bumblebees. Can you help? By sponsoring a species, you’ll be supporting our work to: 🐝Map the abundance and distribution of rare bumblebees in the UK 🔎Carry out scientific research and fund knowledge gaps 🆘 Define areas most in need of conservation, targeted at rare bumblebee species Sponsor a Species today ❤️ What should you do if you find an old, tired bumblebee? 🐝💤 Worn and shiny bumblebee on pink flower 📅 As the weather cools and the days shorten, we’re nearing the end of the bumblebee active period and this Common carder bumblebee is looking a bit tired and worn. ⚰️ The faded colours and missing hair are all signs that this old timer is approaching the end of its natural lifespan. Here’s how you can help: 🚫 If an old, tired bumblebee is resting in a place where they won’t get squashed, just leave them bee. Let nature gently take its course. There’s no need to take any action. 🌻 If they are resting somewhere they might get squashed, you can offer something, like a piece of kitchen paper, for the bumblebee to climb onto. Carefully carry it to a flower and let it crawl off to enjoy the last few sips of nectar peacefully. Discover more bumblebee FAQs Conservation round up Four people with bumblebee survey equipment in a park The Trust’s conservation and science projects span from Cornwall to the Outer Hebrides. Here’s a quick overview of the last few months. The Moss Carder Bee Recovery project is making headway on the ground in Cornwall, Kent and Northumberland, with bumblebee sightings across landscapes. We’re grateful to all our volunteers and project partners for their strong support so far. Our Species on the Edge team in the Outer Hebrides are helping to restore crofting land using innovative no-fence grazing collars to keep cattle where they need to be. They also hosted a successful wildlife festival with over 90 events. In Somerset, the Save Our Shrills: Somerset project is seeking new funding to continue vital work for the endangered Shrill Carder Bee. Watch this space… The Buzzing in the East End team is engaging communities in London, with flagship sites established and local community group partnerships flourishing. Project volunteers (see the photo above) have been busy surveying bumblebees across the area. Over the 2025 bumblebee season, 932 BeeWalk transects have been walked so far with more than 101,000 individual bees recorded. Vital data to understand how the bumblebees are doing! Training of our dedicated BeeWalk volunteers remains a key priority through our Skills for BeeWalk work. Both online and face-to-face bumblebee ID training have been popular this year with 765 attendees. In the Cairngorms, Skills for Bees: Scotland is thriving with new records of Bilberry bumblebees thanks to the ‘Bumblebee-bagging in the Cairngorms’ campaign. Although we are sadly saying goodbye to long-serving Project Officer Annie Ives, we are pleased to welcome Lucy Duerdoth to the team to take the project forward. Explore our projects Bee the Change for bumblebees 🐝 There may only be a few days of September left, but it's not too late to get in the garden with our fabulous September planting guide. This month, Yellow rattle is one of our top planting suggestions. Also known as hay rattle, rattle grass and the meadow maker this sometimes overlooked plant is a key part of wildflower habitats as it is semi-parasitic on grass roots, stealing away nutrients for its own use. This weakens grasses and prevents them from out competing the wild flowers that our bumblebees rely on. Why not add Yellow rattle to your meadow, whether it's a mini meadow pot or a larger area? It's easy to grow by scattering and treading, but not covering, the seed in to bare soil. To prepare the area, just use a rake to scrape back the surface vegetation in a few places. Discover more plants to grow in September in our FREE planting guide👇🏾 September planting guide Fundraising regulator The Bumblebee Conservation Trust is registered with the Fundraising Regulator. You can read more on our Fundraising Promise online. We will never sell or swap your details, and you can opt-out at any time. For further information please see our Privacy Policy. Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Registered Charity No: 1115634 / Scottish Charity No: SC042830. © 2025 Bumblebee Conservation Trust. All rights reserved. You are receiving this newsletter because you are already a member, subscribed via our website, an event or when becoming a volunteer. We hope you enjoy reading it! Registered address: International House, 109-111 Fulham Palace Road, London, W6 8JA; Correspondence address: Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Beta Centre, Stirling University Innovation Park, Stirling FK9 4NF Unsubscribe

FROM FRIENDS OF THE EARTH — IT IS FOR THE BEES

View in browser Dear John, We’ve got a buzzing idea — and it involves you giving us bees a bit of love. 🐝💛 Right now, we (the bees) are in trouble. We're dodging pesticides, losing our homes… frankly, we deserve a break. That’s where you come in. Introducing… the Bee Saver Kit. It’s like a seed bomb and activist starter pack all rolled into one. I'LL DONATE FOR A KIT Here’s what’s inside: Wildflower seeds to turn your garden, balcony or widowsill pot into a bee buffet. A handy bee saver guide with tips, such as how to build a bee hotel. A beautiful bee ID poster. Ever been bee-spotting? Now’s your chance. A garden planner to make your space greener and more bee friendly. A bee postcard to share the bee love. A Bee Saver Kit folder to store all your goodies together. A warm fuzzy feeling that lasts way longer than a good cuppa. With just a small donation, you'll give us bees a lifeline and make your corner of the world a bit more beautiful. Think of it as a small act of wild rebellion — against dull gardens, silent springs and sad bees. GET YOUR BEE SAVER KIT NOW Did you know Friends of the Earth has had a recent win for us? It's persuaded the UK government to develop a new Pollinators Action Plan. We’re buzzin’ about it. But life is hard for us and our insect buddies. We’ve lost 97% of our flower-rich habitats since the 60s and our populations have plummeted. So we need your support. Please help us thrive. In exchange, we’ll pollinate your food crops and make honey to sweeten the deal. Go on, bee the change and help us on this survival mission! I'LL DONATE FOR A KIT (While stocks last.) Thanks so much, The Bees 🐝💚🌼 About us Supporter promise Privacy policy Contact us DONATE This email was sent to spanishjohnedwards@gmail.com Want to change how you receive these emails? Unsubscribe from this list We send communications to our supporters who have opted in to receive emails from us. Friends of the Earth Limited. Reg. No. 01012357. Incorporated in England and Wales. Registered office: Friends of the Earth The Printworks 139 Clapham Road London, SW9 0HP United Kingdom Copyright © Friends of the Earth Limited

FROM AVAAZ — ALL ABOUT BEES AND WHY WE LOVE THEM

SIGN NOW! Bees are amazing – and stingless bees across Latin America especially so: They keep backup queens, they have "soldiers" that guard the nest, and when faced with danger, they use stink bombs for defence. That's before we're even talking about their essential role for crops and plants! Now Peru could be the first country to grant these precious pollinators rights. Indigenous leaders are leading the charge, let's put a massive global buzz behind their call: SIGN NOW! Dear friends, Bees are amazing – and the stingless bees buzzing all across Latin America have some mad extra skills: They're great planners that keep "backup" queens, they have soldier bees to guard the nest, and they're not afraid to use foul smells to defend their colony. Now Peru is pondering legal rights for these precious pollinators, a move that could unlock forest protection, a crackdown on pesticide use, and inspire other countries to follow suit. And here's how we can help make it happen: Right now, Indigenous leaders and scientists are pushing Peruvian lawmakers to approve this game-changer. The country has granted legal rights to nature before, so there's a precedent. Local leaders are on board, as are celebs…and our community can add a swarm of global people power to create a massive buzz. Sign now, before we take this call to Congress – and share with every pollinator friend you know: Add your name: Rights for bees! Wild bees are vanishing — their risk of extinction has doubled in many places. But this inspiring effort from Peru reminds us that sometimes it's the smallest creatures that spark the biggest hope. A future where tropical forests are full of life, and crops thrive thanks to pollinators evolved just for them. This isn't some impossible dream. One municipality has already gone ahead and announced it'll pass this legislation, two more say they want to…this is the perfect moment to take legal rights for these ancient bees national. We've fought for the bees across Europe and the US before, and won. Now let's do the same for these bees in Latin America. Indigenous communities are inviting us to stand with them, and fight for rights for the stingless bees. Will you join and help make history for stingless bees? Add your name: Rights for bees! The Avaaz community loves bees — a whopping 5 million of us came together in the past and won a ban of bee-killing neonicotinoids in Europe. And that effort went way beyond signatures; Avaazers sent messages to dozens of government officials, brought a giant inflatable bee to the heart of Brussels, worked with beekeepers, funded scientific studies, and much more. Now is another moment where together, we have a chance to pull out all the stops. Bees and other vital pollinators remain in crisis globally, so let's do it: for bees, nature and people everywhere. With hope, Alice, Eza, Joana, Nate, Antonia and the whole Avaaz team More information: Safeguarding Amazonian Stingless Bees, Guardians of Biodiversity (Earth Law Center) Stingless bees’ lead conservation efforts in the Amazon rainforest (CBS News, video) These stingless bees make medicinal honey. Some call it a ‘miracle liquid.’ (National Geographic) Avaaz is a 70-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 22 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook, X, or Instagram. You became a member of the Avaaz movement and started receiving these emails when you signed "EU: Ban Bee Poison" on 2013-03-05 using the email address spanishjohnedwards@gmail.com. To ensure that Avaaz messages reach your inbox, please add avaaz@avaaz.org to your address book. To change your email address, language settings, or other personal information, contact us, or simply go here to unsubscribe. To contact Avaaz, please do not reply to this email. Instead, write to us at www.avaaz.org/en/contact . Avaaz.org facebook x instagram TikTok Bluesky

FROM WILD JUSTICE — THEY WIN IN COURT AGAINST NATURAL ENGLAND

Good morning… ...and good news! Today we bring you a brief newsletter, letting you know we were successful in fighting off Natural England’s attempt to hike up the adverse costs for our ongoing joint legal challenge (with our friends at Badger Trust) against 26 supplementary Badger cull licences. Last year, Natural England (NE) applied to increase the adverse costs cap (what you pay if you lose a case) for our legal costs on this case. Instead of the standard £10,000 adverse costs cap, provided for by the Aarhus Convention which protects citizens’ access to justice on environmental claims, NE asked the court to increase the costs to £20,000 for Wild Justice and £30,000 for Badger Trust. We saw this as an aggressive attempt by NE to price us out of taking legal action. Last Thursday (16 October) at the High Court in London, Mr Justice Fordham heard evidence from both sides. Natural England argued that we (Wild Justice and Badger Trust) could use our cash reserves to cover any increase in adverse costs should we lose the case. We argued that, for both groups, our only source of funding comes from donations, and that any cash we do have is used for daily running costs, and in Wild Justice’s case, other legal challenges, research and campaigning work. After a full day in court, Mr Justice Fordham rejected Natural England’s application to increase our adverse costs, so they remain at £10,000 each for us and for Badger Trust. The judge’s written reasoning for dismissing NE’s application is set to follow in due course. We’re grateful to our fantastic legal team for their ongoing hard work on this case: Carol Day, Ricardo Gama, Julia Eriksen, Madeeha Akhtar (Leigh Day), Barney McCay (Landmark Chambers) and David Wolfe KC (Matrix Chambers). We can only assume this whole sorry process was an attempt by NE to dissuade us from challenging the potential unlawfulness of their decisions when it comes to Badger culls. Needless to say, we won’t be intimidated. We’re delighted that Natural England’s bid to make our legal challenge prohibitively expensive has failed, and now we can focus on the more important topic at hand – Badgers. We maintain our position that 26 supplementary Badger culling licences were granted unlawfully, against the advice of NE’s own scientific advisors (click here to read about it). The substantive hearing for our legal challenge will take place at the High Court on 16-17 December 2025. You can read the full press release about our success at the costs hearing here. More soon – for now, we’ll leave you with a quote from Chris: “This was a calculated attempt to block grass roots groups from accessing environmental justice on account of affordability. Cynical, anti-democratic and bullying...Natural England should be ashamed of themselves”. ~Chris Packham, Co-Director, Wild Justice Thank you, Wild Justice (CEO: Bob Elliot. Directors: Chris Packham and Ruth Tingay). This is the 254th Wild Justice newsletter. This email was sent to you because you subscribed to it through the Wild Justice website or through an e-action or a petition where you ticked a box. Thank you. We will only use your personal details to send you the Wild Justice newsletter. We will not give or sell your details to anyone else. You can unsubscribe at any time: there is an unsubscribe button at the foot of this email or you can reply to this email and ask us to remove you from the list (the former will happen immediately, the latter might take a few days). 124, City Road London Greater London EC1V 2NX UNITED KINGDOM Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options

FROM THE PLANTLIFE TEAM — SO MUCH TO BE JOYOUS ABOUT IN OUR RAINFORESTS

View this email in your browser Donate Join John, can you take three minutes for yourself right now? Come for a walk with us in one of the UK’s enchanting temperate rainforests. Let’s enjoy the sounds of water trickling over mossy rocks, ferns rustling in the breeze and crunchy leaves underfoot… Click here to step into the UK’s rainforest with us, John. Enter the rainforest Our short video will immerse you in one of the oldest, rarest habitats the UK has, the temperate rainforest. You’ll get to explore ancient lichens up close, enjoy the browns and oranges of autumnal foliage, and see the dappled light flood through the twisting treetops. We may not all have easy access to the UK’s stunning rainforests, but they’re truly not to be missed – take just a few moments for yourself today and discover this magical habitat in our video. Watch our video to join us for a wander through an ancient, awe-inspiring rainforest and feel your stress melt away… Join us as we take a relaxing adventure through one of the UK's temperate rainforests - an enchanting and rare ecosystem that’s full of life and natural beauty. I’ve already watched this video three times today! I hope you enjoy it, John. Thanks and happy exploring! Charley Plantlife Nature Editor Follow Plantlife on: Twitter Twitter Facebook Facebook Instagram Instagram YouTube YouTube LinkedIn LinkedIn Copyright © Plantlife All rights reserved. Plantlife International is a charitable company limited by guarantee. Registered Charity in England and Wales (1059559) & Scotland, (SC038951) Registered Company in England and Wales (3166339) Registered Office: Brewery House,36 Milford Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2AP, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1722 342730 enquiries@plantlife.org.uk www.plantlife.org.uk Plantlife respects your privacy. You can read more about how and why we use your personal data at www.plantlife.org.uk/privacy-notice Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

FROM PROTECT THE WILD — IS A TRAPPED FOX VERMIN — LET’S TALK TO THE RADIO HOST WHO SAID IT

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more LBC Presenter Jokes About Trapped Fox ‘Left to Waste Away’ in His Car Park “just let it waste away down there.” OCT 16 READ IN APP On the cold dawn of 14 October 2025, LBC Radio’s Ian Payne told his listeners a story: one of a fox trapped in his underground car park. Instead of showing concern, he offered mockery, calling the animal “vermin,” laughing about it, and asking whether he should “just let it waste away down there.” The fox had apparently slipped in on a slope as Payne opened the shutter to leave, which then closed, trapping the animal inside. Payne speculated that since foxes do not understand key fobs, the fox was doomed unless someone else triggered the shutter. When listeners objected and urged him to contact the RSPCA, Payne’s response was a mix of deflection and derision. He mentioned that one of his producers could call the RSPCA but then compared foxes to rats, joked about “deporting” them, and mocked those who expressed outrage. “Christ, you’re such a bore… I’m going to report you to the RSPCA for what you have said and done,” one listener said. Payne replied, “All I’ve said is there’s a fox caught… what should I do?” This was not a trivial radio moment. LBC commands a large national audience, and its hosts help set the tone for how the public perceives animals. When a major broadcaster can repeatedly describe a trapped fox as “vermin” without challenge, it reinforces the idea that wild animals are worthless and undeserving of empathy. Sign the petition The Larger Problem: Demonising Foxes in Media This incident reflects a wider cultural problem. For years, British media outlets have fuelled hostility toward foxes, using loaded language such as “vermin,” “urban pests,” and “carriers of disease.” Rarely do these stories acknowledge that foxes are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 or that many of their alleged crimes are exaggerated or misunderstood. A recent example appeared in mainstream outlets under headlines like “Foxes Terrorise Village by Chewing Car Brake Cables.” The story described drivers in Hampshire who claimed foxes had chewed through wiring, leading some residents to coat their cars in chilli powder or install spiked mats underneath. Other reports warned that foxes were “obsessed” with brake cables because modern car coatings contain traces of animal fat. Stories like these spread rapidly across news sites and social media. They are rarely questioned, and they play into the same narrative that Ian Payne echoed on air: foxes as aggressors, as nuisances, as enemies. When this framing becomes normal, cruelty and persecution become easier to justify. It leads to calls for culls, relaxed regulations, and a general tolerance of suffering. The issue is not just one fox in one car park. It is the broader normalisation of contempt toward wildlife. Sign the petition brown and gray fox Photo by Tj Holowaychuk on Unsplash Why It Must Be Challenged Allowing hostile language toward wildlife creates permission for cruelty. When presenters call animals “vermin” on national radio, it shapes public attitudes. Broadcast reach matters. LBC has hundreds of thousands of daily listeners. What is said on its airwaves influences how people think about animals living around them. Fox persecution is ongoing. From illegal hunting disguised as “trail hunts” to snaring, poisoning, and habitat loss, foxes face threats across the country. Media hostility adds fuel to this cruelty. Accountability is needed. Broadcasters must recognise that the way they speak about wildlife has consequences. It is not just entertainment; it affects how animals are treated in the real world. Petition and Call to Action We are launching a petition to LBC Radio, Ian Payne, and Global Media. Our demands: Provide a public update confirming that the trapped fox has been safely rescued and released. Issue a public statement acknowledging that calling wildlife “vermin” is unacceptable. Commit to improving editorial standards by inviting wildlife experts and broadcasting factual information about urban foxes. Host a dedicated segment on LBC about coexistence with wildlife, featuring rescue professionals and conservation voices. Sign the petition here: Please share it widely across social media and with your networks. Closing Thoughts This is not a quirky radio story or harmless banter. It is a clear example of how cruelty toward wildlife becomes normalised in British media. When a national broadcaster laughs about an animal trapped underground and calls them vermin (hate the use of”it”), it signals that mockery and indifference are acceptable responses to suffering. Foxes are intelligent, social, and adaptable animals. They live among us not because they are invaders, but because our towns and cities have replaced their natural habitats. They deserve empathy and protection, not contempt. We cannot allow this kind of language to pass without challenge. The way the media speaks about animals shapes how society treats them. Let’s make sure this moment sparks change. Sign the petition The best wrapping paper ever? We’ve made our own recycled wrapping paper in time for the festive season! :) You can pick some up now and support the fight for British wildlife 🦊🦡 Wrapping paper SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing

PROTECT THE WILD — THE DEBATE ON BADGER CULLING AGREES IT HAS NOT REDUCED BOVINE TB

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Badger cull dismantled from all sides in landmark Parliament debate The cull is collapsing under its own weight, and it is collapsing because people refused to accept a lie. ROB POWNALL OCT 14 READ IN APP Protect the Wild’s founder Rob Pownall outside Parliament ahead of the debate with the brilliant Betty Badger (Mary Barton) Over 102,000 people stood behind Protect the Wild’s call to end the badger cull immediately and adopt a cattle-focused approach to tackling bovine tuberculosis (bTB). That public pressure brought MPs from across the political spectrum into Westminster Hall on 13 October and what unfolded was one of the most revealing debates yet about the future of the cull. The debate was opened by Irene Campbell MP, who recognised the petition’s origins: “The petition is titled ‘End the Badger cull and adopt other approaches to bovine TB control’ and was created by Robert Pownall, founder of Protect the Wild.” From the outset, she made it clear that “the evidence is there for the badger cull to end immediately.” Campbell also cited damning statistics, that 94% of TB transmission is cow-to-cow, not badger-to-cow, and that new TB herd incidents have fallen by just 1% since culling began in 2013. The case is clear: after 11 years, over 247,000 badgers killed, and hundreds of millions spent, bTB is still rampant. A shifting political tide For perhaps the first time, Parliament heard near-unanimous recognition that the cull has failed. Across the debate, MPs condemned the cruelty of the cull and the failure of testing systems that let infection persist. Even South West MPs (historically in favour of culling) now focused on testing and biosecurity over killing. Brian May’s campaigning was praised for shifting opinion, while the Gatcombe farm project underscored the government’s wider failures. “When was the last time you saw a badger sneeze on a cow?” That cutting line from Cat Eccles (Lab, Stourbridge) summed up the mood. She tore apart the myth that badgers drive TB spread: “Sheep, deer and alpacas show far higher incidence of TB than badgers… Fewer than one in ten badgers tests positive… yet we continue to scapegoat this single species.” Please do watch the 2 minute clip below in which Cat absolutely destroys the justification behind the Badger cull and says in no uncertain terms it must end now. Rachael Maskell MP (Ind, York Central) also delivered a blistering scientific takedown of the entire cull: “Half the population of badgers has now been killed, and up to 22.8% were still alive five minutes after being shot.” “The TB-infested farm became TB-free without killing a single badger, just by removing infected cattle.” You can watch Rachael’s speech below: In a striking intervention, Andrew George MP (LD, St Ives), who once supported the 1990s badger trials, admitted the science has moved on: “Bovine TB is 17 times more likely to spread between cattle than to originate from badgers.” And Tim Farron MP (LD, Westmorland and Lonsdale) summed up the new consensus perfectly: “It is ludicrous to outlaw the culling of badgers for scientific purposes yet permit it if developers want it. That is outrageous.” (For context, the proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill would essentially allow developers to kill Badgers and destroy Badger setts if they’re in the way of their building projects). Across the debate, MPs spoke of the cruelty inflicted on wildlife and the failure of testing systems that allow infection to persist. Even South West MPs, once staunchly pro-cull, now emphasised testing failures and biosecurity, not the need for more killing. The Tory “Toolbox” Argument: A Masterclass in Denial “His Majesty’s Opposition believe that, sadly, badger control needs to be kept in that toolbox.” Only one MP of the dozen or so that attended the debate really put up a proper fight for badger culling, Conservative vet Dr Neil Hudson MP (Con, Epping Forest). His entire speech revolved around a single word: “toolbox.” He said it six times in a few minutes, as though repeating the metaphor made it make sense. According to Hudson, badger killing should stay “in the toolbox” until every other measure, testing, vaccination, biosecurity, is “up to speed.” In other words: keep killing badgers until something else works. You can watch the clip below where he spells out the Tory Party’s position that Badger vaccination is the solution alongside more culling (that he claims has been proven to work) But here’s the problem. Culling isn’t working. The figures cited during the debate show new bovine TB herd incidents have fallen by only about 1% since culling began in 2013. That’s after around 247,000 badgers have been slaughtered. If that’s success, what does failure look like? Even the Godfray Review, which Dr Neil Hudson MP repeatedly referenced, admitted it is “not statistically possible to isolate the impact of culling.” So when he says we should “follow the evidence,” he’s ignoring the evidence entirely. Thankfully Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George made sure to call out Neil on his absurd claims as seen in the clip below. What was even worse is the language. He couldn’t bring himself to say “kill,” “shoot,” or even “cull.” Instead, he talked about “badger control,” the same bloodless spin used for a decade to disguise a blood-soaked policy. There is no “toolbox.” There is only a Government trying to justify cruelty because it lacks the courage to confront the real problem: the farming system itself. The Badger Blame Game One of the most striking contradictions in the debate was how often MPs said that badgers are not to blame for bovine TB, yet still framed badger vaccination as part of the solution. It perfectly summed up the confusion that has dominated this issue for years: even those calling for compassion towards wildlife cannot quite let go of the false idea that badgers are part of the problem. Alison Hume (Lab, Scarborough and Whitby), for instance, said that the Government should “accelerate the roll-out of vaccination programmes as a long-term and humane solution to bovine TB.” Tim Farron (LD, Westmorland and Lonsdale) called for the Government to “invest heavily in improving delivery, to fund more research into how vaccination can be scaled, and to work with conservationists and farmers to make it viable on the ground.” Even the Minister, Dame Angela Eagle MP, repeated that “badger vaccination is not about ignoring the role badgers play in spreading TB,” and promised a “new badger vaccination field force” next year. Every one of these statements carries the same flawed logic. If badgers are not the cause, why are we still talking about vaccinating them? Vaccinating badgers implies that they are a disease risk that must be managed, when the science shows that more than 90% of transmission is between cattle. The focus on wildlife vaccination shifts the blame from the real cause: industrial animal farming and a failed testing system that continually reinfects herds. It is a comforting illusion for politicians to believe that the answer lies in the woods and hedgerows, not in the barns and slaughterhouses. But the obsession with “treating” badgers, whether by shooting or injecting them, is built on the same false premise: that the problem lies in wildlife rather than the system that exploits animals for profit. Vaccination may sound more humane than killing, but it still treats badgers as disease carriers whose existence must be controlled for the sake of farming. It makes no moral or scientific sense to interfere with a protected wild species to sustain an industry that should not exist in the first place. The Hypocrisy from the Minister When Dame Angela Eagle, the new Labour Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, finally spoke, her words revealed the government’s deep contradiction. She acknowledged that the Godfray Review shows it’s “not statistically possible to isolate the impact of culling.” Then, barely a minute later, she said the final remaining cull licence would “continue until the end of the season and then there will be an analysis to see how effective it has been.” That’s the hypocrisy in plain sight. If it’s impossible to tell whether culling works, why are we still killing badgers “to see if it works”? This was a textbook case of a government trying to have it both ways, signalling compassion for wildlife while quietly sanctioning more bloodshed. Her line, “The cull is ending,” may sound reassuring, but it’s hollow when immediately followed by “we’ll wait to see if the final cull has worked.” The truth is, they don’t need more data, they need more courage. The Truth No One Dared to Say Not once in the entire debate did a single MP make the most important point of all: that animal farming itself is the root of this cruelty and suffering. Every word in Westminster was framed around how to “protect farmers” and “safeguard livelihoods,” as though breeding, exploiting, and killing animals for profit were somehow beyond question. The truth is simple. There would be no badger cull if there were no animal farming. There would be no bovine TB if we did not keep millions of cows confined and traded like products. Viva! - Horrific scenes of animal abuse recorded at Red Tractor approved dairy farm in Wales Viva Investigation of a Red Tractor approved dairy farm in Wales Credit must go to Rachael Maskell MP who did put it on record that “Further research has shown that intensification of farming increases the risk” of the spread of TB. Throughout the debate, “rural communities” were repeatedly spoken about as if the term only referred to farmers. Yet there are countless rural citizens who have been emotionally shattered by the sight and sound of badgers being shot in their fields, by the cruelty carried out near their homes, and by the heartbreak of watching wildlife vanish from the countryside. Their voices were not heard in Parliament. Compassionate rural people exist, and their suffering under this policy is just as real. This entire crisis exists only because society demands cheap meat and a government continues to pour billions in subsidies into keeping that system alive. The debate constantly defended a grotesque industry built on violence and denial. MPs fell over themselves to sound compassionate towards badgers while proudly pledging loyalty to the very system that caused their deaths. The sick, overcrowded, profit-driven state of British farms was never mentioned, yet it is the beating heart of this disease. Until we stop exploiting animals altogether, there will always be new excuses for killing wildlife in their name. Acknowledging the MPs who spoke up While we disagree with many of the assumptions that still underpin the debate, we also want to thank every MP who attended and spoke out for badgers. In a Parliament that too often ignores wildlife, their presence and their words mattered. It takes courage to stand against a decade of government dogma, and those who challenged the cull in Westminster have helped bring us closer to ending it for good. The Debate We Needed and What Comes Next Despite the Minister’s hedging, and our clear objections to both badger vaccination and the wider silence on animal farming, this debate marked real progress. For the first time, MPs from across parties broadly agreed that the cull must end. They challenged the science, questioned the cost, and condemned the futility of a policy that has slaughtered hundreds of thousands of wild animals while failing to control disease. The tone in Westminster has shifted. It is no longer a question of whether the cull should stop, but how quickly. Yet the government’s 2038 eradication target remains distant and deliberately vague. The language of “toolboxes” still echoes through Parliament, and most worrying of all, the killing has not yet stopped. At the height of the badger cull there were seventy-three active licences across England. This year, the number has fallen to twenty-one, and by the Minister’s own admission, only one final licence remains. It covers a so-called “low-risk area” where a TB hotspot has appeared. That single licence must not be allowed to become a back door to future culls. The government says the cull is ending, yet still insists on completing one last season “to see how effective it has been.” That is a contradiction in plain sight. If it is “not statistically possible to isolate the impact of culling,” as the Godfray review itself concluded, then there is no justification for more killing. The final licence should be revoked immediately. Anything less is political cowardice dressed up as science. Protect the Wild’s petition did not just win a debate. It forced Parliament to confront a truth the government has avoided for over a decade: culling has not worked, is not working, and never will. The fall in TB rates has been negligible, barely one percent after the deaths of more than 247,000 badgers, and yet ministers talk of “reviewing results” as if another round of killing could redeem a failed policy. Protect the Wild on X: "A simple message today outside the @UKLabour Conference in Liverpool. STOP THE EXCUSES. END THE BADGER CULL. RT if you stand with us! @SteveReedMP https://t.co/5jQ9lN0SOk" / X This was never about disease control. It is about protecting an intensive animal-farming industry propped up by public subsidies and political fear. Farmers choose to profit from animal exploitation, and governments choose to underwrite it. The debate exposed how normalised that cruelty has become. Every speech was framed around “helping farmers” rather than questioning why such an industry still exists at all. The suffering inside Britain’s farms, the overcrowding, the constant stress, and the breeding for profit, is what drives TB, not the wildlife that lives beside them. The badger cull is a stain on Britain’s claim to compassion. But this debate proved that public pressure works. The cull is collapsing under its own weight, and it is collapsing because people refused to accept a lie. Now the task is simple but urgent. We must keep the pressure on. We must ensure that final licence is revoked, that no new ones are ever issued, and that the government’s words are turned into action. The political tide is turning, but the fight is not over until every gun is silenced, every licence is cancelled, and Britain’s badgers are safe for good. Thank you Thank you to every single one of you who signed our petition and joined us in the Commons yesterday. Together, we’ve made a real impact, this was another major blow to the future of badger culling in this country, and we should all be proud of that. Help power the fight for British wildlife Protect the Wild operates on a shoestring budget compared to the major NGOs but I am so proud of our output. From fighting the Badger cull to tackling hunting and bird shooting, we do all that we can to prevent the suffering of British wildlife. If you’d like to help us do even more and fight harder you can consider setting up a small monthly donation or picking up our 2026 British Wildlife Calendar (full of amazing photos from our incredible supporters! Donate to Protect the Wild 2026 British wildlife calendar Thank you again. Rob SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing

THE EUROPEAN SLAUGHTER OF SONG BIRDS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN — A REPORT FROM PROTECT THE WILD

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Songbirds are slaughtered in Cyprus and Britain has blood on its hands Every night, nets rise, wings break, and silence spreads across the British bases of Cyprus. This is our responsibility to end the songbird slaughter. CHARLOTTE SMITH OCT 12 READ IN APP If you have been shocked and saddened to learn of the illegal slaughter of songbirds in Cyprus, we have one last, devastating truth to share and one last call to action that could save countless lives. Because Cyprus isn’t alone in allowing this horror to continue. Britain has a part to play. And we need just five seconds of your time to help stop it. Every year across the Mediterranean, hundreds of thousands of tiny migratory birds robins, thrushes, blackcaps, and warblers are trapped, tortured, and killed in ways so cruel they defy belief. And one of the worst killing grounds of all lies not in some distant foreign land, but on British-owned territory. Within the Eastern Sovereign Base Area’s (ESBA) of Cyprus, land administered by the British Government, ruthless wildlife criminals operate under cover of darkness. They erect vast mist nets and lime stick sites, snaring small birds by the thousands. Every year, up to half a million songbirds die here, their bodies sold for Ambelopoulia, a dish banned across Europe since 1974. Stop the songbird slaughter Stop the songbird slaughter We’ve seen this slaughter first-hand. We have held the tiny, beating hearts of birds as we fought to free them from traps. We have cradled the broken bodies of those crushed between human fingers, their injuries so severe, they couldn’t be saved. We have watched others take their final breath in our hands, their feathers trembling, their eyes dimming, all because of greed and indifference. And yet, we have also seen hope take flight. We have watched the uninjured soar from our palms, their wings catching the light, continuing the migration they were born to make. s What’s Happening Now The ESBA was established for defence, not to aid cruel crimes. Yet today, that same land has become a haven for wildlife crime, largely due to weak, inconsistent, and delayed enforcement. Trapping happens between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., but official patrols often don’t begin until 5 a.m., long after the trappers have fled, leaving behind bloodied traps, broken wings, and lifeless bird bodies. Meanwhile, CABS (Committee Against Bird Slaughter) volunteers are working through the night, taking on the job that should fall to the authorities. They cut nets, free birds, and gather vital evidence for prosecution that the ESBA should be collecting. These brave individuals face intimidation, threats, and violence from organised crime gangs, while performing a public service on British land. And instead of being supported, they are left to confront criminals alone. This is unacceptable. The ESBA once proved that progress is possible. When a dedicated 24-hour anti-trapping unit operated, bird illegal trapping on British soil plummeted. But that teams schedule was quietly changed, and the slaughter returned. Stop the songbird slaughter CABS gather to begin their vital work rescuing birds and holding criminals to account. Stop the songbird slaughter The birds, those that are tapped and slaughtered on ESBA land, are the same robins that visit your garden, the same blackcaps that sing in our hedgerows and other warblers that fill our mornings with song. They travel thousands of miles across oceans, only to die in agony on soil under British authority. This issue is our responsibility, and Britian’s wrong to make right. What We Demand We are calling on you, our supporters, to ask the British Government, the ESBA , and the ESBA Police to act, not with words, but with will. The Eastern Sovereign Base Area was built for defence, not to harbour cruelty. Every night that passes without action is a night of terror for the wild, and a mark of shame on Britain’s name. We demand that the British authorities: Reinstate and properly fund a permanent, 24-hour anti-trapping enforcement team within the ESBA. Lives are lost in the hours of inaction, this must end. Deploy night patrols that match the trappers’ hours (11 p.m.–6 a.m.), intercepting them in real time, not after dawn, when the killing is done. Protect CABS volunteers and all anti-poaching personnel from intimidation and violence. These brave people stand between life and death for countless birds, they must not stand alone. Ensure transparency and accountability, publish full data on patrols, prosecutions, and trapping hotspots. The world deserves to see the truth. Work side by side with conservation organisations like CABS, sharing intelligence, evidence, and resources to dismantle the criminal networks profiting from this cruelty. Honour Britain’s legal and moral obligations to protect wildlife and uphold international conservation laws across all its territories. Britain cannot call itself a world leader in conservation while turning a blind eye to wildlife crime on its own land. Every night of inaction means more tiny hearts crushed in the dark, and more danger for the people who risk their lives to stop it. We demand that the British authorities take immediate, visible, and lasting action to: End trapping. Restore integrity to Britain’s promises. Protect the Wild. Because these are not “foreign” birds. They are the wild’s birds and it’s time for Britain to act. Stop the songbird slaughter SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing

PROTECT THE WILD REPORT ON BEAGLE PACKS DISBANDED — STOP KILLING OUR HARES

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Hunting News Early October: Two beagle packs fold and more TOM ANDERSON OCT 11 ∙ GUEST POST READ IN APP With the so-called ‘season’ for hunting hares in full swing, there’s reason to cheer: two of the UK’s hare hunting beagle packs have announced that they will be folding. In other news: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has dropped the case against a Cottesmore Hunt terrierman despite damning covert footage gathered by Northants Hunt Saboteurs. Hunt supporter Tom Greig has been convicted of criminal damage for smashing a hunt monitor’s phone but the CPS didn’t charge him with assault. The Wynnstay Hunt’s Ali Johnson does nothing as the Hunt’s hounds pursue a fox. Two hare packs won’t be out hunting this ‘season’ As the annual ‘season’ for murdering hares approaches, two of the UK’s hare-hunting beagle packs have thrown in the towel. The Sandhurst & Aldershot Beagles (SAB) and the Park Beagles are no more. Both packs have transformed themselves into ‘Hunt Clubs’, which means they will henceforth exist as a club that occasionally invites other hunts to meet on their ‘country’ (the lands that the hunt uses for hunting). The fact that another two beagle packs are no more is good news for the UK’s hare population. Last ‘season’ monitors and hunt sabs reported that 58 hares were chased in the UK in breach of the Hunting Act, and four were killed. These figures only represent the incidents that were documented and confirmed. There were undoubtedly many more hares pursued and killed in the last year. Thousands of hares persecuted Protect the Wild estimates that there were 58 beagle and basset packs active last season. If you take into account the number of un-monitored hunt meets in 2024/5 where there is no data, the figures potentially scale up to a massive 6,522 hares persecuted. According to Protect the Wild’s Rob Pownall: “The closure of the Sandhurst & Aldershot Beagles and the Park Beagles is yet another sign that this brutal pastime is fading into history. Fewer packs mean fewer hounds exploited and fewer animals chased to exhaustion and death. It is a reminder that public opinion has moved on, and that hunting has no place in a modern, compassionate society.” Ilminster Beagles filmed illegally hunting a hare by Hounds Off Ilminster Beagles filmed illegally hunting a hare A sordid history The Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) recounted some of the sordid history of the unfortunately named SAB: “Like so many beagle packs, the Sandhurst & Aldershot are a merger of older hunts. The former Aldershot Beagles had a particular nasty reputation: their huntsman Roy Clinkard used to delight in goading sabs with the torn bodies of any hares he managed to kill. In those days the Sandhurst could muster 60-70 supporters and sabbing could often turn ‘eventful’. One veteran sab recalls a lively Boxing Day meet where a large supporter with a broken arm tried to deck sabs with his plaster cast!” According to the HSA, SAB soon started to lose support after hunt saboteurs began to focus on them. It’s great news that there will be two fewer beagle packs out hunting next season. We need to redouble our efforts to end this cruel bloodsport once and for all. Read ‘20 Years On: The true face of hunting with hounds in 2025‘ This month, the Atherstone fox hunt has officially closed too, six years after it officially disbanded and stopped hunting. Read the Hunt Saboteur’s Association’s account of the downfall of the Atherstone Hunt. Despite the Hunting Act, wildlife persecution remains widespread in the UK. Hunts continue to exploit loopholes, such as ‘trail hunting’, to conduct illegal activities. Inconsistent enforcement of the Act further exacerbates the problem. Sign our petition demanding a proper ban on the hunting of mammals with hounds. CPS drops charges against Cottesmore terrierman and huntsman, despite damning covert footage Cottesmore Huntsman Sam Jones Terrierman Max Logan Max Logan and Sam Jones of the notorious Cottesmore Hunt were in Loughborough Magistrates Court on 17 and 18 September, accused of interfering with a badger sett on 9 January 2025. Jones and Logan’s first appearance in court for this offence was in August, where the pair pleaded not guilty. The Cottesmore interfered with the badger sett at Owston Wood, Leicestershire, during a small and secretive hunt meet. Northants Hunt Saboteurs (NHS) shared footage of the incident on Facebook: The video shows a fox running for her life with the hounds hot on her heels. NHS’s covert film crew identifies Sam Jones and his wife with the pack of dogs. The video then shows Max Logan digging into a badger sett in an attempt to unearth the terrified fox. A second terrierman is seen releasing a terrier wearing a GPS collar, which is worn to track the dog’s movements underground. According to NHS: “The objective of the Cottesmore Hunt on this day was very clear. The hunted fox had clearly gone to ground in the sett and was marked to ground by the hounds. . Terrier men were called in to locate the exact position of the underground fox with a terrier dog and then dig down until they found the fox.” NHS are under no illusions as to what Jones and Logan were up to. They continued: “The real reason that Sam Jones, the full pack of hounds and the following foot supporters were present at this time was in the desperate hope that this fox would be located, forced out of the sett, either to be released and hunted again or to be grabbed by the scruff of the neck by terrier men and thrown straight into the jaws of the pack of hounds to be ripped apart and killed.” NHS reflected that, although Logan and Jones may feel like they have got off the hook, the “damning” footage shows exactly what they were doing. This is not Jones’ first time in the dock. In August 2023, he appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to common assault after his horse leapt a fence hitting a sab standing on the other side. Jones then rode off and continued hunting. That incident happened in February 2023, but Jones was acquitted by a judge in November 2023. Jones is currently facing yet another charge of illegally hunting a wild mammal with dogs. He was due to appear in court on 9 September, but the trial has been adjourned until 4/5 February 2026. The decision by the Crown Prosecution Service not to pursue the case against Max Logan is proof that the legal system will never be enough to protect wildlife from the menace represented by hunts. As always, it’s direct action by wildlife defenders that we can truly rely on to protect foxes and badgers. Donate to Northants Hunt Saboteurs petrol fund. At Protect the Wild, we want to end the gruesome world of terrierwork. Sign our ‘End Terrier Work petition and read our article on ‘Terrierwork, terriermen and the grotesque world of fox hunting’. Essex & Suffolk Hunt (ESH) supporter convicted of criminal damage after smashing wildlife defender’s phone ESH supporter Tom Greig appeared in Chelmsford Magistrates Court on 8 October, charged with smashing hunt monitor Chantelle Leach’s phone. Leach told Protect the Wild that she was disappointed that Greig’s brutal assault on her wasn’t taken into account by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Essex Police initially refused to take any action at all after Greig was filmed smashing Leach’s phone and shoving her during the ESH’s meet in Little Bentley on 26 February. Protect the Wild launched an e-petition calling for them to take the case seriously. The officer who handled Chantelle’s complaint has since been reprimanded for inappropriate and sexist behaviour in another case. On 8 October Greig appeared in court and pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage. He was sentenced to a 12 month conditional discharge, ordered to pay £85 court costs and £26 to victim services. Assault not taken into account Chantelle described Greig’s assault on her to Protect the Wild’s Rob Pownall: “From nowhere, someone grabbed my phone from that my hand and flung it. And then he starts grabbing me. He starts throwing me around. Unfortunately, this is when the lady filming stops filming, and she didn’t get [footage] of my assault. So it’s really hard for people to understand what actually happened to me. You see one of the times he smashed my phone, but after that, he kept hold of my phone and he was grabbing me here [gestures to her collar area]. I remember my forearms hurting afterwards. I still have shoulder pains. I still have lower back pain. So he was shaking me down quite a bit.” Chantelle told Protect the Wild that the police treated her as if she were the criminal, implying that she was wasting police time. After the officer in the case received thousands of messages from supporters, they eventually informed her that they would be taking action. However, the CPS failed to charge Greig over the serious assault that Chantelle was subjected to. In fact, Chantelle will not even be compensated for the damage to her phone. Although the Crown Prosecution Service did eventually pursue a charge against Greig, Chantelle’s experience is one more example of pro-hunt bias shown by some police and courts. Beyond that, Chantelle has told Protect the Wild that the way Essex Police treated her had “misogynistic undertones”. Read Protect the Wild’s original article on the assault by Greig and watch our video interview with Chantelle. Chantelle was acting as a hunt monitor for Suffolk Action for Wildlife. Consider donating to the monitors here. Any amount will be gratefully appreciated. Check out our Protectors of the Wild page on ‘Assaults and the Law’. If you’ve been affected by violence from the hunt when out sabbing it can be useful to get mental health support. Protect the Wild is in touch with a trained counsellor who can provide sessions to sabs, funded by Protect the Wild. Click here to find out more. Wynnstay terrierman stands-by as hounds pursue a fox If you needed any more proof that trail hunting is a sham, this video gives us yet another example of a fox blatantly being chased by the notorious Wynnstay Hunt’s hounds. Check out this footage filmed by Cheshire Borderland Monitors of Wynnstay terrierman Ali Johnson doing nothing to call off the hounds until he realises that wildlife defenders are filming what’s going on. The video was captured at the Wynnstay’s meet at Wolvesacre Hall on 13 September. It has been handed to a member of the North Wales Rural Crime Team, and police are considering whether to take action. Johnson initially feigns ignorance of what’s going on. The footage shows the fox running past and then - seconds later - the Wynnstay’s hounds following the line of her scent. However, Johnson eventually thinks better of it and calls up the huntsman to tell him that the pursuit has been filmed. It’s not surprising that Johnson thought twice. He probably doesn’t want yet another conviction for the Hunt. The list of Wynnstay court appearances over the last two years or so is nothing short of astonishing. Men linked to the Wynnstay have appeared in court charged under the Hunting Act, the Protection of Badgers Act, and even for harassment and hate crimes. A life saved The actions of Cheshire monitors more than likely saved the fox’s life Welsh Border Wildlife Protectors witnessed what happened. They wrote: “A fox cub was seen by Cheshire Monitors being actively chased by hounds, right in front of Ali Johnson and other support who all chose not to intervene. It was only when a Cheshire monitor instructed Ali to tell [huntsman Henry] Bailey to stop them, that Ali phoned the huntsman reluctantly to tell him to get the hounds. We are under no illusion that if Cheshire monitors did not position where they did the hunt would have chased this cub and killed it.” This video proves once and again that the likes of the Wynnstay are not trail hunting, they are intent on pursuing and killing foxes. The actions of Cheshire Borderland Monitors on the day are yet another example of how wildlife defenders are an essential line of defence against the likes of the Wynnstay. They do this at considerable risk to themselves. Protect the Wild has documented at least 17 violent incidents by Wynnstay members and supporters during the 2024/5 season. Donate to Cheshire Borderland Monitors and Welsh Border Wildlife Protectors. Wolvesacre Hall is run by the Clarke family. Find out more on Protect the Wild’s Blood Business database. Join your local monitor or hunt saboteur group. Use Protect the Wild’s automated tool to email your MP and demand a proper ban on hunting. Picture of hare via Pixabay, screenshot of Ilminster Beagles via Hounds Off/Vimeo, video of Cottesmore terrierman and pictures of Max Logan and Sam Jones courtesy of Northants Hunt Saboteurs. Video of the Wynnstay Hunt’s meet at Wolvesacre Hall courtesy of Cheshire Borderland Monitors. Help power the fight for British wildlife We’re funded entirely by kind people like yourself. We don’t have major donors or govt backing and so that’s why over the coming weeks you’ll see us doing all that we can to push our 2026 Wildlife Calendar. It’s just such a great way for us to raise funds and you get an awesome calendar in return! :) Packed with beautiful wildlife photos taken by our incredible supporters! Shout out to Martin Yelland for this gorgeous pic we chose for the month of March! Protect the Wild Calendar A guest post by Tom Anderson Journalist for Protect the Wild Subscribe to Tom SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing

PROTECT THE WILD — KILLING IS BIG BUSINESS — LOCAL AUTHORITIES RODENT CONTROL UNDER SCRUTINY

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Blood Money: How public bodies fund wildlife killing We're targeting the 'pest' control industry OCT 10 READ IN APP Protect the Wild is sick of waiting for our incompetent government to protect the UK’s wildlife. We’re done with empty promises that were apparently only made to win votes. It’s time for real change, so we’re launching a new campaign focused on delivering tangible, concrete results. We will target a sector that has been largely untouchable until now: the ‘pest’ control industry. Additionally, we will shed light on the UK’s public bodies that are funding this industry. Our new campaign will expose: The sheer scale and cost of taxpayer-funded wildlife killing, carried out in the name of controlling ‘pests’. The lack of transparency — public bodies rarely admit what species are killed or how many. The stranglehold of the pest control industry over local authorities and other publicly-funded institutions. Huge scale The ‘pest’ control industry is huge. By 2026, the industry is expected to make £683 million in revenue. With 3,546 individuals and 486 companies registered with the British Pest Control Association, it’s clear that the business of eliminating animals and insects is big money. For too long, the sector has had it easy. It often operates without scrutiny, with a lack of regulatory oversight. It thrives on misleading narratives and propaganda that vilify specific animal species, all while turning a profit. Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act makes it an offense to cause unnecessary suffering to any animal. Pest control companies, therefore, should carry out humane practices, only resorting to lethal methods as a last resort. Of course, the reality on the ground is very different. We’re here to hold the industry accountable. a bird standing on a rock Lesser Black-backed Gull. Photo by Katherine Cavanaugh on Unsplash The campaign Blood Money: How Public Bodies Fund Wildlife Killing is an extensive research initiative aimed at uncovering the true cost of ‘pest’ control funded by the public. Over the next few months, we will compile data from Freedom of Information requests sent to more than 1,000 publicly-funded organisations. Our inquiries have been directed at councils, universities, the NHS, the police, Network Rail, and others, demanding transparency about how much is spent on killing wildlife under the label of ‘pest control’. For local councils, this includes details on the use of traps, poisons, and other control methods in public spaces such as parks, schools, libraries, bus stations, and council-run buildings. Where services are outsourced, we’ve requested information on suppliers and contract values. We’ve also asked for records detailing the number of call-outs and animals killed, including the specific species targeted - whether that’s rats, mice, rabbits, foxes, gulls, pigeons, grey squirrels, or insects like cockroaches. Once we’ve gathered our findings, we will approach each public body with clear, actionable demands. Collaborating with environmentalists, animal rights advocates, and humane wildlife control experts, we’ll create a comprehensive guidebook for these institutions. This guide will offer practical, non-lethal alternatives to unnecessary killings, showing that humane methods can be safer and healthier for both humans and animals, in contrast to toxic chemicals or extermination. We’ll also debunk common myths, like the misconception that rats are “vermin” that must be poisoned. On top of this, we will highlight examples of public bodies worldwide that have successfully adopted humane wildlife control practices. Finally, we will point public bodies to local humane wildlife control companies in their areas of the UK. a squirrel eating a nut Brown Rat. Photo by Patrick Kalkman on Unsplash We need YOUR help! If the public bodies ignore our requests, this is where our followers and readers come in. Together we’re going to start a hard-hitting public campaign that will cause a national scandal. We will name and shame the worst of the institutions, exposing in the press how many millions of pounds of public money are being spent on killing wildlife. Together, we’ll put pressure on councils, the NHS, police and others, forcing them to pledge long-term reform of their policies. We will demand that they train staff on humane practices; allocate a budget for humane wildlife control services; and partner with local humane wildlife control companies. And if they still don’t change their ways, we will ask you to join part of a local movement in your area, which will keep a sustained pressure on these public bodies and expose future contracts. We are determined to see a shift towards more ethical approaches to wildlife management, and we are certain that with your help we WILL get results. Help power the fight for British wildlife We’re funded entirely by kind people like yourself. We don’t have major donors or govt backing and so that’s why over the coming weeks you’ll see us doing all that we can to push our 2026 Wildlife Calendar. It’s just such a great way for us to raise funds and you get an awesome calendar in return! :) Packed with beautiful wildlife photos taken by our incredible supporters, like this one by Barry Edwards for the month of April! Protect the Wild 2026 Calendar SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing

CORNWALL WILDLIFE TRUST NEWSLETTER — PROTECTIONS UNDER THREAT

View this email in your browser OCTOBER NEWS As autumn settles in and the beaches get quieter again, October is the perfect time to get out and about. Look out for thrushes and finches feeding on berry-laden trees, grey seals basking in the sun, and fungi flourishing in amongst the trees. It’s a feast for the senses: the leaves crunching beneath your feet, the calls of migrating birds in the crisp autumn air. We are incredibly grateful for your continued support, which plays a vital role in protecting Cornwall’s wildlife and wild places. We hope you get a chance to enjoy everything nature has to offer this season. 🍂🎃 NATURE NEWS - PROTECTIONS UNDER THREAT In a new blog, Cheryl Marriott questions the UK Government’s decision to weaken nature protection in the name of faster housing development. As the Planning and Infrastructure Bill moves forward, ministers have blamed wildlife laws for delays — calling species like bats and newts “blockers”. Developers in Cornwall say it’s actually down to things like labour shortages, high costs, and land prices. Take action: Help #DefendNature by sending a postcard to your MP. We're asking you to write to your MP. Using our simple and easy process, it takes just a few minutes — let them know you expect them to #DefendNature on your behalf. Send a postcard to your MP Read the blog CHRISTMAS Get ready for the season with our range of festive-themed jumpers and t-shirts - available to buy now. Stock up on your Christmas cards, and get ahead of your shopping with our homeware, calendars, and gift memberships! Give gifts that make a difference this year. Festive clothing from Teemill Homeware, calendars, and more MY WILD CORNWALL Model and influencer Lydia Cooke shares her journey to nature connection in our latest blog as part of the My Wild Cornwall campaign. From childhood memories on the Jurassic Coast to unforgettable wildlife encounters in Cornwall, Lydia shares how nature continues to inspire her, ground her, and guide her hopes for the future of Cornwall’s landscapes. Read the blog Share your three words EVENTS Seaquest Southwest Seawatch: Bude Sun 19 Oct | 11am - 1pm Steeple Point, Bude Join Seaquest Southwest’s public seawatch surveys to spot marine wildlife, monitor species, and contribute to marine conservation efforts. Nature Explorers Mon 20 Oct | 10am - 1pm | £5 Helman Tor nature reserve Connect with nature on our nature reserve and join us for bushcraft and nature crafts as we experience all autumn has to offer. This event is aimed at ages 9-16. Owl Pellet ID Workshop Tue 28 Oct | 10am - 3pm | £40 Newquay University Centre Join us for a hands-on experience dissecting owl pellets and revealing the remains of mammal species hidden within. GREEN HALLOWEEN Halloween is a great time for spooky fun — but it’s also a season of scary amounts of waste. From plastic costumes to discarded pumpkins, the environmental impact can be haunting. But fear not! With a few simple swaps, you can enjoy a frightfully fun Halloween that’s kinder to the planet. Bring your costumes back from the dead. Did you know most Halloween costumes are made from 90% plastic? Instead of buying new, DIY a costume from old clothes and cardboard, check out your local charity shop, or rent one for the night. Craft your own decorations. Skip the plastic pumpkins and bring nature in! Why not make an autumnal wreath from twigs and leaves? Make the most of your pumpkin. A staggering 8 million pumpkins are thrown away after Halloween. Instead of binning yours, try roasting the seeds or making a soup. Compost your leftovers. Leaving pumpkins in nature might seem helpful - but it’s actually harmful. Pumpkins can make hedgehogs poorly and even lead to fatal dehydration. Put your pumpkin waste in your food bin or compost heap - don’t dump them in the woods. Whether you’re trick-or-treating or hosting a haunted house, small changes can make a big impact. Let’s make this Halloween a little less scary for the planet. More tips for a green Halloween Facebook icon Instagram icon LinkedIn icon YouTube icon Images: Ibis - Adrian Langdon Building - Unsplash Lydia Cooke - Lydia Cooke Dolphins - Brenda & Adrian Tregunna Woodland - Zsuzsanna Bird Owl - Andy Rouse/2020VISION © 2025 Cornwall Wildlife Trust. All rights reserved. Registered charity number 214929. Privacy Policy and T&Cs Our mailing address is: Cornwall Wildlife Trust Five Acres, Allet, Truro, Cornwall, TR4 9DJ Want to change how you receive these emails? You can unsubscribe from this list.

PROTECT THE WILD — DRONES IN THE DARK TO PROTECT MIGRANT BIRDS

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Eyes in the dark: How you helped fight the slaughter of songbirds When compassion takes flight, miracles happen, Protect the Wild supporters raise enough for the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) to buy a thermal drone to fight wildlife crime in the dark. CHARLOTTE SMITH OCT 9 READ IN APP In less than 48 hours, YOU did it! Together with our amazing community, Protect the Wild has smashed the target for the Committee Against Bird Slaughter’s (CABS) thermal drone fundraiser. The goal was £4,839, but thanks to your incredible generosity, we’ve raised an astonishing £6,702.20! That might sound like a piece of tech. But it isn’t. It’s a weapon against cruelty. It’s a guardian in the night. It’s the difference between life and death for thousands of tiny, exhausted songbirds who have already crossed oceans just to survive. Donate to CABS Protect the Wild’s “Save Songbirds” fundraiser is nearly there! Every year, these fragile, fluttering migrants, their wings aching from journeys of thousands of miles, land, desperate for food, water, rest. They believe they’ve found safety. But waiting for them is a lie. They are lured by decoy calls, the songs of their own kind, twisted into traps. Then, as they approach, they are trapped, stuck, then crushed or stabbed. Their little bodies, lives full of movement and song, end in pain, panic, and silence. Donate to CABS Protect the Wild hold a female blackcap who had a traumatic brain injury and was taken for humane euthanasia Donate to CABS All for a dish, Ambelopoulia, that was banned across the EU back in 1974. Fifty years ago, the law said enough. And yet, it’s still happening. Still tolerated. Still profited from. This is not tradition. This is not culture. This is wildlife crime. It is greed, cowardice, and cruelty. The trappers and organised criminal gangs are men too lazy to earn honestly, too feared by local authorities, kill without conscience, hiding behind darkness and corruption. Donate to CABS Protect the Wild hold a dying Blackcap they managed to free from a mist net, but who had already been stabbed by criminal trappers. But they are not invisible anymore. Because CABS are out there, night after night, crawling through bushes and scaling vast mountain ranges, cutting nets, peeling limesticks from branches, and rescuing terrified songbirds from certain death. They are the only line of defence between these wild, beautiful lives and the people who destroy them. They are doing the job that governments and police refuse to do. And now, thanks to you, they have eyes in the dark. This thermal drone will expose the trappers hiding in the shadows. It will help CABS track illegal operations, rescue more birds, and bring more criminals to justice. Donate to CABS CABS free songbirds from a mist net found during the night. You made that happen. But imagine what we could do next. What if we raised enough for two drones? Two teams. Twice the reach. Twice the criminals caught. Twice the number of birds rescued from agony. If you haven’t donated yet, please do it now. Every pound counts. Every share saves lives. Every voice joins a chorus that says we will not look away. Because this is about more than birds. It’s about justice. It’s about compassion. It’s about saying no more to cruelty disguised as custom. Donate to CABS Protect the Wild works to free female blackcap from a mist during a CABS operation. You’ve already proven what’s possible when people come together for what’s right. So let’s keep going for CABS who are out there fighting right now, for the birds they rescue. Donate. Share. Speak out. Together, we are not just funding a drone. We are arming compassion. We are combating wildlife crime. And we are giving freedom, safety, and life back to the wild and to the songbirds who fly upon the wind. Protect the Wild release a Blackcap from limesticks back to the wild during an operation with CABS. To help CABS continue this work, donate today. Donate to CABS SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing