FROM PROTECT THE WILD—BBC TV TALK OF THE REFUSAL FOR TH GUGA KILLING TO CONTINUE

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more BBC Evening News Covers Guga Hunt Victory! Protect the Wild reacts to the landmark licence refusal on BBC Scotland. AUG 5 READ IN APP Monday was a truly historic day for Scotland’s Gannets. The Guga hunt licence was rejected for the first time ever, sparing 2000 Gannet chicks from a needless and brutal death in the name of tradition. This was a landmark moment for wildlife protection in Scotland, and we're delighted it received the national attention it deserved, featuring on both BBC Scotland's and STV's evening news programmes. Protect the Wild was invited to appear on both programmes to react to NatureScot's decision to reject the licence. BBC Scotland also aired an extended interview with our Scottish Campaigns Manager, Devon, which you can watch below. Speaking to BBC Scotland, we reflected on how emotional it was to hear that the Guga hunt would not be going ahead, and how much it meant to everyone who has campaigned so hard to protect these birds. We also highlighted how our campaign brought unprecedented public attention to the issue and pressured NatureScot into acting in the bests interest of wildlife rather than waving through the Guga hunt for yet another year. Over the course of the campaign so far, we built a petition of more than 250,000 signatures, released a viral animation, organised multiple protests, carried out creative campaign stunts that generated nationwide media coverage, and dedicated countless hours to research and meetings with NatureScot. We believe this significant new scrutiny caused NatureScot to take a far more precautionary approach to the licence. The unprecedented public interest and controversy surrounding the Guga hunt meant the decision was escalated to senior management, and new scientific evidence was commissioned rather than relying on assumptions rooted in the past. We also made clear that tradition, culture and heritage - the main argument we hear for the hunt continuing - cannot justify the continued killing of vulnerable seabird chicks. Finally, and most importantly, we warned that despite Monday's landmark victory, the fight is far from over. NatureScot made it very clear that the Guga hunters can apply again next year, and trust us, they will. Until the law is changed, we’ll have to fight this licence every single year and the Gannet chicks will be at risk of being beaten to death yet again. That’s why we’re now turning our attention to the Scottish Parliament and pressing for the Government to amend Section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act to remove the clause allowing the Guga hunt. Help us get this over the finish line Yesterday, our incredible founder Rob walked (but mostly ran!) 16 kilometres in laps around the Scottish Parliament building dressed as a Gannet to call on Section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act to be amended to outlaw the Guga hunt. We’re aiming to raise £16,000 for vital funds to power the next and final phase of the fight to end the Guga hunt for good. DONATE TO THE FUNDRAISER We're so close to hitting our target. If you can, please chip in a few quid and help us cross the finish line. SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2026 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing