Gamekeeper claims poisoned red kite was "planted"
A gamekeeper on a Highland Perthshire estate at the centre of poisoning allegations has condemned those who use illegal pest control methods.
- By Sandra Gray
- Published in the Courier : 28.08.10
- Published online : 29.08.10 @ 12.03pm
The man, who did not wish to be named, contacted The Courier after Tayside Police told how the carcass of a red kite was found on an estate in Strathtay last month.
He categorically denied being involved in any illegal poisoning and claimed the dead rare bird had been "planted" on his beat.
"As a member of the Scottish Gamekeepers' Association, I am against anything illegal," he said.
"Anybody who does this should be jailed because it's not on and I have never done anything like this in my life.
"To find a poisoned bird on my ground is just wrong because I don't use poison and wouldn't know how to.
"There is something funny about this and I think someone else has killed this bird and planted it on my estate. Why they have done that, I don't know."
The man told The Courier that he and the laird of the estate regularly walked along the pathway where the bird was found and they did not see any sign of it.
He added, "We have never seen a red kite, living or dead, in the Strathtay valley so I don't know where this has come from.
"The laird is so upset about it, as am I, because it besmirches our reputation and it's reflecting badly on me.
Professional
"I am a professional person and I have worked hard for all these years on the estate and never had anything against my name.
"This is causing me a lot of stress and strain because I don't know what is going to happen next.
"I've never been involved in anything like this before."
The gamekeeper said that he would continue to go about his daily routine as before and that he had the "full support" of his employer.
"My job is safe," our source continued. "They are totally behind me and know that I haven't done anything wrong.
"My contract states that if I contravene the Countryside Act, I will automatically be sacked but that hasn't happened.
"It's very reassuring to know that I have the full support of the laird because this job is something I love doing."
He urged Tayside Police to carry out a full investigation into the incident, as he believes that the bird may have been killed elsewhere before being dumped on his estate.
Anyone with any information that can assist with this poisoning investigation, or with information on wildlife crime in general, is requested to contact Tayside Police on 0300 111 2222, or speak to Alan Stewart on 01738 892650.
Photo used under Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user cookipediachef.
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