FROM PROTECT THE WILD — MOST SIGNED FOR SCOTTISH VOTERS TO END GUGA HUNT

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Petition to end Guga hunt becomes one of the most signed in Scottish Parliament history PROTECT THE WILD JAN 16 READ IN APP Image taken by Craig O’Donnell If you receive our emails, you will already know that we have been completely obsessed with pushing Rachel Bigsby’s petition to end the Guga hunt. From the moment it launched, we had our sights set on one clear goal, to make it one of the most signed petitions in the history of the Scottish Parliament petition site. Not for bragging rights, but because numbers matter. They show politicians when something can no longer be ignored. And now, it has happened. Rachel’s petition has officially become the 5th most signed petition since the Scottish Parliament’s petition system launched in 2004. It has now passed 60,000 signatures. That is an extraordinary achievement, and it belongs to everyone who signed, shared, talked about it, and refused to let this issue fade quietly into the background. Since the release of our latest animation (narrated by the Brilliant Rachel Bigsby who set up the petiton), now seen by over 3 million people, the petition has exploded in popularity. Thousands of people have learned, often for the first time, that the Guga hunt is still being licensed in modern Scotland, and they have responded with disbelief and a clear demand for change. Sign Rachel's petition At the same time, the campaign to end the Guga hunt has continued to gain momentum beyond our own channels, with further coverage from The National newspaper and Oceanographic Magazine. Piece by piece, this issue is being dragged into the light, exactly where it belongs. A brief reminder of what is at stake The Guga hunt involves the licensed killing of gannet chicks on Sula Sgeir, birds taken just weeks before they would fledge. It is defended on the grounds of tradition, despite no longer being necessary for survival and taking place against a backdrop of growing pressure on seabird populations from disease, climate change, and food scarcity. The decision to grant a licence in 2025, even while avian influenza was affecting the colony, has only sharpened public concern and raised serious questions about welfare, biosecurity, and judgement. Wednesday matters On Wednesday 21 January, Rachel’s petition will be formally considered by the Scottish Parliament. This is the moment when all of the work, the signatures, the awareness, and the pressure, is placed directly in front of the Government. We have done everything we possibly can to get this issue noticed and to demonstrate the huge public support for ending this cruel and outdated practice. When the petition goes before Parliament on Wednesday, MSPs will see clearly that this is not a niche concern. More than 60,000 people have made their views known. We will be heading back to the Scottish Parliament on the day to physically watch the petition be considered and to mark the moment with a visible, respectful presence outside Holyrood. We will have placards and banners, and we would love to see you there if you are based nearby and would like to join us. 📍Scottish Parliament, 8:30am - Midday, Wednesday 21st January You can RSVP to the event on Facebook here. May be an image of vulture, swan and text that says "ect DO GUCE CUCS HUNY END THE MUINT ENDTIE END CUCA HUNT MIKE THS HUNT CUCA HUNT GUCA HUNT CUCA HUNT GUCA HUNT DONT CИCKMИKT TRAKTN CRCOSE HE de END THE END THE ENDTHE END THE GUGA HUNT GUCA HUNT 수화한 PAOO ገር C cиcaHbй" Image taken by Craig O’Donnell Above all else, this campaign has shown something important. People care. Awareness is spreading. Pressure is building. And the assumption that this practice can continue unchallenged is starting to crack. Support Protect the Wild with a small monthly donation We only ask for a few pounds a month because our strength isn’t big donors or hidden backers. It’s thousands of ordinary people chipping in small amounts. Together, that becomes unstoppable. Your support powers everything we do to defend British wildlife: undercover investigations, hard-hitting animations, fearless journalism, detailed reports, equipment and mental health support for activists, protests, and pressure campaigns that hold the powerful to account. Our goal is 200 new monthly supporters. We’re currently at 145 Support Protect the Wild SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2026 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing