Animal Aid

At 9am on Thursday 8th May, a small group of dedicated protesters gathered at Bideford Quay to demonstrate against the cull of rats currently taking place on Lundy island.

Clad in rat masks and wielding banners, they distributed leaflets to holidaymakers on their way to the island, many of whom were unaware of the slaughter taking place at their chosen destination. As the ferry pulled out of the quay, a bold brightly coloured banner was held up reading 'Save the Lundy Ship Rat', to ensure that everyone was aware of plight of this victimised animal. The press showed a keen interest and a number of local reporters turned up with a view to including photographs in their publications.

The demo resumed at 1pm outside the RSPB offices in Exeter. This time even more protesters were present. Demonstrators brandished a giant ripped-up RSPB membership card, and waved flags bearing a rat skull & crossbones, to inform people about wildlife-killing activities of this so-called 'conservation' organisation. The demonstration was lively and many nearby office workers took leaflets - again unaware of the slaughter taking place. Yet more media turned up, and a number of interviews were conducted with local TV stations. The highlight of the demonstration was when a floral wreath containing a specially composed poem - designed in the manner of a funeral decoration - was presented to a representative of the RSPB, in memory of the rats who have been killed so far.

The demonstrators then continued to English Nature, giving out leaflets along the way, where a similar wreath was presented. The public seemed very interested in the 'cull', and many cars drove past honking their horns in support.

Thanks must go to all of the protesters who attended the demonstration, and to those Animal Aid supporters who donated wreaths, masks and T-shirts.

• Please write to the organisations involved in the cull. Their addresses are:

  English Nature
  Dr Andy Brown, Chief Executive, Northminster House, Peterborough, PE1 1UA.
  01733 455000, email andrew.brown@english-nature.org.uk

  The Landmark Trust
  Peter Pearce, Director, Shottesbrooke, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 3SW.
  01628 825417, email s.wilkinson@landmarktrust.co.uk

  The National Trust
  Fiona Reynolds, Director General, 36 Queen Anne's Gate, London, SW1H 9AS.
  0207 222 5097, email fiona.reynolds@nationaltrust.org.uk

  RSPB
  Graham Wynne, Chief Executive, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL
  01767 680551, email graham.wynne@rspb.org.uk

• If you receive letters from any of the organisations involved the the cull asking for donations, please return the appeal in the freepost envelope provided explaining that you will not give them money while they are killing wildlife.

• Send for some copies of Animal Aid's Lundy Rat petition and campaign leaflets. Email us to order copies.

• Keep in touch with the campaign - click here for the Lundy rats campaign index.