What's to be done about Reynard?
A NEW row has erupted between former cricketer Ian Botham and the RSPB.
In a comment column for today's edition of The Daily Telegraph, Botham accuses the society of lack of transparency in its initiatives to control predators, especially foxes.
"Secrecy seems to be a top priority at RSPB HQ," he writes.
At times when the public is absent, the charity regularly culls badgers, foxes and carrion crows from its reserves in order to safeguard more highly prized avian species such as nesting black-tailed godwits, avocets, curlews, other wetland birds and certain raptors.
Indeed, it is currently recruiting for a dog handler to join its stoat eradication team on Orkney and three ferret trappers on Raithlin Island.
Botham has no problem with this but resents being "chastised" by the society when country folk, such as farmers and gamekeepers, seek to do likewise.
He continues: "Humane fox control is a genuine dilemma, and the RSPB needs to be more upfront about the tough choices on controlling predators.
"We need to debate acceptable ways to kill a fox."
In response, the RSPB says the decision to introduce any form of animal control is always "a last resort."
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