FROM PROTECT THE WILD—CATAPULTS & WILDLIFE CRIME

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Shot off a rooftop for fun, and left to die! In Cumbria, two boys filmed themselves shooting a gull for fun, then posted the sickening footage in a facebook group - for a “laugh”. CHARLOTTE SMITH SEP 17 READ IN APP The catapult attack at Southsea pier has not been the only one. In Cumbria, on July 7th, two teenage boys filmed themselves using a catapult to shoot a gull off a roof. In the video the gull can be heard letting out a pain filled squawk, then seen falling from the roof. What makes this more gut wrenching, is that the boys run away laughing and sniggering at the suffering and pain they have just caused an innocent, defenceless animal. Sign our petition, stop catapult crime! The teens seemed to be so proud of themselves, that they went on to post the footage into a facebook gull appreciation group - a group which is full of gull lovers. It’s hard to comprehend what they were thinking, other than they seem to have abused an animal, taken a video of them doing it, and shared it into a group where people, who love that animal, would see it - all for a reaction! It shows a staggering lack of empathy for the gull, and all the humans that would be, rightfully, upset from this cruelty. Cumbria Police have reported they are investigating the incident, stating that on the 14th of July they arrested a 14 year old boy in connection with the video. But, because the boys appear to be under 16, there are real concerns that nothing meaningful will follow, and they’ll be no consequences felt by either teen, who think animal abuse is funny. Sadly the gull's fate is unknown, which makes the video all the more unbearable. Unless someone kind found them, they likely faced a slow agonising death, from a metal ball lodged deep in the body, a broken wing or leg, starvation or infection. The injuries are catastrophic and often need human intervention and veterinary care, then rehabilitation for the animal to survive. Sign our petition, stop catapult crime! Why the law has to change We are seeing catapult crime again and again, yet no meaningful action taken by authorities because the current legislation is not good enough. A living animal is targeted for a “laugh” and the law offers no clear answer, because protections are scattered, inconsistent, and depend on the species involved or the exact circumstances of the attack. We believe a law that protects some animals but not others is not a law against cruelty. Whether the target is a swan or a gull, a fox or a pigeon, the pain, fear and suffering is felt the same. That’s why we are calling on the government to make it a specific criminal offence in England to use, discharge, or attempt to discharge a catapult at any animal, whether or not the animal is struck, and whatever their species. Wildlife is not target practice. Add your name and help us make this the law! Sign our petition, stop catapult crime! JOIN THE FIGHT TO PROTECT THE WILD Want to support our work fighting for British wildlife? Please consider becoming a monthly donor today and you’ll be joining thousands of others chipping in to keep us alive and kicking! Donate to 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

FROM PROTECT THE WILD—GUGA IS ON THE MENU STILL AFTER SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT WON’T TAKE IT OFF

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Scottish Government REFUSES to Ban Guga Hunt Here’s what happens next. DEVON DOCHERTY SEP 6 READ IN APP Last month, the campaign to end the Guga hunt achieved a truly momentous milestone: NatureScot rejected the 2026 Guga hunt licence, saving the lives of 2000 Gannets who call the island of Sula Sgeir their home. Some of those chicks will just be beginning to fledge the nest and take their first flights out over the ocean as I write this email - a lovely thought, and one that makes everything we fought for over the past year feel so incredibly worthwhile. But along with that wonderful news, I’ve got some bad news as well. NatureScot’s rejection only protects the Gannets for one year. While the hunt is still allowed in law, it could still be licensed in future years, and the Scottish Government just confirmed they do not intend to outlaw the Guga hunt. This is despite almost 6000 of you emailing the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs directly to ask making ending the Guga hunt a priority in the new Government’s upcoming programme of work. It’s also despite NatureScot’s latest scientific data showing that the Guga hunt is no longer sustainable and could hold back the recovery of Gannets for decades, on top of a coalition of animal welfare authorities concluding that the Guga hunt is not humane. Take action There is so much urgent evidence pointing to the need for the Guga hunt to be outlawed for good. That’s why it’s so shocking that we just received a response from Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture, Marine, and the Islands saying the Govt is not going to ban it, and repeating the same stock statement they’ve been giving for almost a year. But there was something else in their response that really stood out to us. The Government acknowledges the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission’s conclusion that there is no humane method of killing the Gannets that would be possible on Sula Sgeir. That conclusion followed advice from the Humane Slaughter Association, while the Scottish SPCA has also strongly opposed the hunt on welfare grounds. Yet in the very next paragraph, we’re told that NatureScot sought advice from the hunters themselves, legal advisers and unnamed “specialist, external advisors”, before concluding that the proposed method of killing the chicks would not constitute an offence under animal welfare law. That raises some pretty big questions. Who were these external advisors? What advice did they give? What evidence was used to reach that conclusion? And, does it really take someone committing a criminal offence before we recognise that the suffering being inflicted on these birds is unacceptable? We’re going to be digging into that, so expect to hear more from us soon. It is good to see, however, the Government recognising the growing number of animal welfare organisations calling for a complete ban on the Guga hunt. This is no longer some niche campaign demand they can easily dismiss - the call for a ban is growing, and they know it. Our job now is to make that call louder, bring more organisations, MSPs and members of the public behind it, and build the political pressure until refusing to change the law is no longer a comfortable position for the Scottish Govt to hold. Guga hunt petition will be discussed next week Regardless of the Scottish Government’s pitiful refusal to act, there are still other routes to secure change. The Scottish Parliament petition to ban the Guga hunt is due to be discussed by the Petitions Committee on Thursday next week, putting this issue back in front of MSPs for the first time since the election. The petition - started by wildlife photographer Rachel Bigsby - was temporarily paused in March while a new Parliament was elected. But it’s now back open for signatures and currently sitting at 107,031. How high can we get that number before Thursday? SIGN THE PETITION The petition is coming back to a newly formed Committee, with fresh MSPs around the table and a fresh chance to move it forward. A huge surge in signatures before the meeting would send a powerful message: the public demand for this hunt to end has never been stronger. And remember: once this petition is eventually closed, you won’t be able to add your name. So while we still can, let’s make PE2202 the biggest petition the Scottish Parliament has ever seen - sign and share it today. Keep this campaign going - Become a Gannet Guardian The Scottish Government’s refusal to act is deeply frustrating, but I can promise you one thing: We will not take no for an answer. We will give this fight all we’ve got, for however long it takes, until this cruel hunt is history. But to do that, we need you fighting alongside us. SUPPORT US Become a Gannet Guardian by giving just a few pounds a month to help keep this campaign going until the Guga hunt is gone for good. As a thank you, we’ll send you your own mini Gannet as a reminder of the birds you’re helping to protect. SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2026 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing

FROM MARRIANE WALKER —BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL—ABOUT VULTURES

View email in browser Your voice can lift vultures higher, John! Share these stories and inspire others to care like you From Egyptian Vultures crossing continents on migration to Griffon Vultures circling high above mountain landscapes, and Hooded Vultures quietly keeping towns and savannas clean, vultures can be found across much of the world. Vultures are nature’s clean-up crew, yet, sadly, they are among the most threatened groups of birds. It’s why on International Vulture Awareness Day, we wanted to spotlight the progress being made to protect these incredible species. We’re putting vultures on the map Effective conservation depends on knowing where and how to target our efforts. By tracking vulture movements and understanding the threats they face, we can identify the places where action is needed most. We’re protecting the most important areas for vultures Drawing on decades of experience, we are working with our Partners around the world to safeguard vital places for vultures to feed, nest, roost and soar. This will enable us to help reverse their decline. Remember, your voice is the lift that can help reach more hearts and minds. Celebrate International Vulture Awareness Day by inspiring others, and together we can save the birds and nature we love. International Vulture Awareness Day also marks the start of something special. From 8–11 September, we’ll be bringing you closer to BirdLife’s General Partnership Meeting and Global Flyways Summit in Kenya. Throughout the week, my colleagues will keep you updated with key highlights that are all thanks to your support. Watch a personal message from our CEO, Martin Harper. Thank you for being with us. Warmest wishes, Mairianne Walker | BirdLife International Supporter Team Image credit in order of appearance: Egyptian vulture globally endangered species in flight by GGRIGOROV/Shutterstock.com Griffon Vulture by David Tomlinson Twitter Instagram Facebook YouTube Website You are receiving this email because you opted-in to hear from BirdLife International BirdLife International is a registered charity 1042125 Address: BirdLife International The David Attenborough Building Pembroke Street Cambridge CB2 3QZ UK For full details on how we collect, use and store your personal information see our Privacy Policy. update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. Copyright © 2026, All rights reserved.

FROM EMMA FOR THE LEAGUE OF CRUEL SPORTS

League-Against-Cruel-Sports Banner stating top 3 reasons to attend our AGM Dear John, With only two weeks to go until the 2026 AGM, here are the top 3 reasons why it’s worth joining us: 1. Hear from inspirational speakers The AGM is a chance to hear directly from the team at the League. You’ll also hear a message from Chris Packham and Nigel Palmer from the Badger Trust which will be shared exclusively at the meeting. 2. Have your say The AGM is your opportunity to share your views and help shape our priorities for the year ahead. To use your voice, you can complete your proxy vote ahead of the AGM here. A new motions process is also being launched, designed to make it easier for members to put forward motions in 2027 and have your ideas heard. 3. Hear what’s next on hunting You’ll hear an update on ‘What’s Next’ now that the hunting consultation has concluded, including how we’ll continue to push the Government to strengthen the Hunting Act. If you’d like to submit any questions ahead of the meeting, you can do that on this page of our website. I want to attend the AGM Please join us for the AGM on 19 September 2026 at 10:00am and make your voice heard. If you’ve already registered to attend, we can’t wait to see you there! We’re looking forward to bringing Members together to celebrate our partnership. Warm wishes, Signature Emma Slawinski  Chief Executive Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram League Against Cruel Sports New Sparling House, Holloway Hill, Godalming, GU7 1QZ www.league.org.uk Telephone: 01483 524 250 © 2026 League Against Cruel Sports Registered Charity in England & Wales (No.1095234) and Scotland (No.SC045533) You are receiving this League Against Cruel Sports email because it relates to your membership. Unsubscribe View this email in your browser. supporter

FROM PROTECT THE WILD—WHAT THE GAME INDUSTRY GETS UP WITH THEIR WASTE

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more “Straight in the bin” Disposal of live waste on a ‘game farm’ PROTECT THE WILD SEP 5 READ IN APP Over the past few months we have been publishing analysis of undercover footage obtained on so-called ‘game farms’ across England. We began by looking at the sheer scale of the shooting industry, then how adult birds (not every bird, but far too many) are sometimes treated, and the enormous numbers of eggs collected and washed - and in some cases dumped unlawfully in open-air trailers. Recently we looked at very young chicks being ‘sexed’ and sorted. But we didn’t explain why and what happens to the birds the industry doesn’t want… Sorting Sorting takes place when chicks are very young, and it has two functions on a farm where birds are being bred for the gun. The first is sexing - ie sorting males from females. The second is checking for weak or unhealthy birds. A breeding operation exists to produce eggs - and those eggs are laid only by females. A male is needed to fertilise them, but because farms typically rotate one male pheasant among eight females, only a small number are ever needed. The rest are, in the industry’s own accounting, surplus. While it depends on the individual farm’s requirements that year (and how Avian Flu has impacted imports of chicks from continental hatcheries), as many as half of every hatch on a so-called ‘game farm’ may be killed within hours of being born. Not for any reason connected to their health. They are killed because they are male, and a male pheasant will never lay an egg. ‘Unhealthy birds’ - ie birds that because of deformity or ill-health will not survive the rigours of egg production without costly intervention - won’t add to the farm’s bottom line so will be disposed of too. They won’t be treated, cared for, rehabilitated, or set carefully aside for something else - to use the words of one of the senior workers talking in the undercover footage we’ve posted below, they will be put “straight in the bin”. The method of disposal The question the industry would rather we didn’t ask: what happens to the chicks the farm doesn’t want? The typical method of ‘disposal’ is maceration. The chicks are dropped from trays, usually fully conscious and often with piles of other ‘waste’ like eggshells, into a high-speed mechanical shredder. They are literally ground up alive. We are saying ‘usually’ because undercover footage from one farm the investigative team visited suggested that it may leave the chicks to die in the trays after sorting: every chick thrown into the macerator was (as in the screenshot below) already dead. This practice was different from what was observed at other farms, but as we can’t be certain this is a regular practice, we are not naming the farm at this point. Typically, the shooting industry likes to disguise the actions they know the public will be incensed by with softer words: ‘processing’, ‘dispatch’, ‘culling’, and the like. But strip away the euphemisms and what remains is a machine being used to kill live animals at industrial speed within days of hatching, simply because those animals were worthless to the business that bred them. Become a Game Changer The law Maceration might sound like some sort of fringe practice dreamt up by rogue operators, or a historical anomaly. Far from it. It is current, and it is written into UK law. The Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015 (WATOK 2015) - which sounds like so much of the oxymoronic legislation that benefits the shooting industry - explicitly permits maceration, gas killing, or cervical dislocation as lawful ways to kill chicks under 72 hours old. In typically cold, remote words, it states that “The killing of surplus chicks…in hatchery waste must be as rapid as possible.” It’s also worth knowing that under UK law (and this advice was last updated in March 2026), a staff member working on a farm does not need a WATOK licence “to kill surplus chicks or embryos in hatchery waste” - in other words, the specific licences required to carry out animal slaughter under WATOK 2015 are not required if you’re a temporary or casual worker being employed on a ‘game farm’ for the summer and part of your role is going to be dumping live chicks into a machine that grinds them up. In-house training is all you need… At this point, it’s a fair question to ask how on earth a ‘game farm’ trains someone to work on the macerator anyway. Practice? Repetition? Just pick the person who doesn’t mind throwing helpless birds into a meat grinder? There really is no answer that reflects well on the industry or the people involved. ‘Humane’ does a lot of heavy lifting Shooting industry bodies will tell you maceration is ‘humane’ - ie ‘showing kindness, care, and sympathy toward people or animals’. Their loose interpretation of ‘humane’ totally ignores the fear and stress of the conveyor belt and the sorting facility, but it is used because (the industry will tell you) death is instantaneous. That claim rests entirely on the operator being properly trained, and the system functioning as intended, every time, on every bird, without exception. That’s the sort of ‘quality assurance guarantee’ that industrial-scale processing rarely earns. It is the sort of ‘quality assurance guarantee’ that unlawfully leaves a chick to die in a trailer full of broken eggshells, after all. Become a Game Changer The pattern, again Forget any noble concepts like ‘humane’ or ‘welfare’. This industry is not organised around the wellbeing of the birds it breeds. It is organised around egg output. Killing day-old chicks is where that logic leads. Maceration is a cost calculation, made by an industry whose business model depends on maximising eggs and minimising anything that doesn’t produce them. It is simply cheaper to destroy ‘unwanted’ chicks than integrate them into the system. The truth is that the chicks going into the macerator were never seen as animals to be cared for. They were a byproduct to be disposed of by whoever is at hand on the day. Living waste to be put ‘straight in the bin’… Video and images recorded by an undercover investigative team in 2025. We are working to END BIRD SHOOTING. This suffering has to stop. Please share this article. Share our socials. Follow us for updates. Become a Game Changer End Bird Shooting Over the coming months our campaign will look at the shooting industry at every level. We will highlight the suppliers — the farms, hatcheries, importers and breeders producing tens of millions of birds under conditions that would provoke public outcry if applied to any other animal. We will expose the providers — the estates and syndicates that take those factory-farmed birds and sell the experience of killing them as leisure. And we will look at the clients — the paying guns who are fully aware of the wildlife crime, the trapping of native predators, and the mass suffering involved, and who have decided that none of it is reason enough to stay away. This industry survives because suppliers supply, providers provide, and clients pay. We intend to examine them all. Join the movement. Become a Game Changer. We are at the beginning of something. Months of undercover work. Hundreds of hours of footage. Farms across the UK exposed. But we are only just getting started. Many of you have already become a Game Changer, standing with us as we take this fight forward, week by week, piece by piece, until the public, the media and the politicians can no longer look away. We are extremely grateful We are reaching a larger audience all the time, though, many of whom won’t know that Game Changers help us fund investigations, take on staff, and make us more effective. So we are going to repeat the call here - this is just the beginning, please be a part of it. Become a Game Changer SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2026 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing

FROM PLANTLIFE—NATURE NEEDS US

View this email in your browser Donate Join Shop Hi John, What would our world be without wildflowers in our meadows, fungi in our woodlands or the plants that support all life around us? Wild plants and fungi are the foundation of healthy ecosystems. They provide food and shelter for wildlife, help tackle climate change and create the beautiful landscapes we all love. Yet they're disappearing at an alarming rate. The good news is that people can make a difference. Every day, Plantlife members are helping to restore wildflower meadows, protect precious habitats, save threatened species and ensure that future generations can experience the joy of a world rich in nature. If you believe nature is worth protecting, we’d love you to join us. Join us Membership is more than a subscription. It's a way of standing up for the wild plants, fungi and places you care about. It's joining a community of people turning their love of nature into lasting impact. Together, we're proving that conservation works. As a special thank you, anyone who joins through this email will receive a free wildflower tea towel*. But the real reward is knowing you're helping create a future where wild plants, fungi and wildlife can thrive. All from just £5 a month. Nature needs more people on its side. Will you join us today? Become a member tea towel featuring pink orchids, plantain and other wildflowers As a member you'll get exclusive access to online talks, regular magazines, an ID guide and much more. Find out more here. Thank you for caring about nature. Together we can secure a world rich in wild plants and fungi. Best wishes Rebecca James Membership Team PS Don’t miss out! Show your support for nature today and receive a free wildflower tea towel* as a thank you. *This is a limited offer, join before midnight on Wednesday 9 September through the link in this email to claim your free tea towel. New members only. Follow Plantlife on: Instagram Instagram Facebook Facebook YouTube YouTube LinkedIn LinkedIn Website Website 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—BAN THE SALE OF GLUE TRAPS

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more TAKE ACTION! Ban the sale of glue traps in England Sign our petition, telling the government to act urgently PROTECT THE WILD SEP 2 READ IN APP There’s a glaring loophole in England’s glue trap legislation. Since the Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022 came into force in England in 2024, ordinary members of the public have been prohibited from using glue traps to catch rodents. Yet it remains legal for anyone to buy one from a shop or online. That makes no sense. If members of the public cannot legally use glue traps, they should not be able to buy them. Ban the sale of glue traps Glue traps cause severe and prolonged suffering. Animals caught on them can remain trapped for hours, panicking and struggling to escape. They may tear skin, injure limbs, become exhausted or dehydrated, and suffer extreme distress before they are eventually killed or die. Protect the Wild is opposed to the use of glue traps in all circumstances. We do not believe that deliberately immobilising a terrified animal on a sheet of adhesive can ever be considered humane, and we ultimately want to see their use ended completely. The Government argues that licensed professional operators may still use glue traps in limited circumstances to protect public health and safety. We strongly question whether such a cruel method is ever necessary when alternatives exist, but even under the Government’s current licensing regime, this provides no justification for unrestricted public sale. If licensed operators are permitted to use glue traps, they should obtain them through controlled professional suppliers. There is no credible reason for these devices to remain freely available to the general public. Sign the petition The Government also describes licensed use as being restricted to “exceptional circumstances”. Yet enforcement relies heavily on licence holders complying with conditions and on unlawful use being detected or reported. Animal rescuers continue to encounter animals caught on glue traps, and by the time misuse is discovered, the suffering has already happened. Removing glue traps from public sale would be a simple preventative step. It would make unlawful use harder, reduce confusion about their legal status and send a much clearer message about the cruelty of these devices. Other jurisdictions have already gone further. Wales has prohibited their use, while Scotland now prohibits their use, possession and supply. New Zealand has also introduced strict restrictions on their sale and use. England should not continue with a system where a product is illegal for most people to use but remains freely available for them to purchase. Our petition urges the Government to: ban the sale and supply of rodent glue traps to members of the public in England; end unrestricted high-street and online sales; restrict any remaining supply to appropriately authorised professional operators through controlled suppliers; review the continued licensed use of glue traps with the aim of ending their use entirely. The immediate demand is simple: if the public cannot legally use glue traps, the public should not be able to buy them. Please add your name to the petition, telling Defra to take urgent action. Every day the government delays, more animals will die a slow and agonising death. Sign the petition SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2026 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing