Animal Aid

An undercover investigation has put the notorious Lundy foursome to shame over their conduct of the rat eradication programme on Lundy Island.

The so-called 'Lundy Seabird Recovery Project' consists of English Nature, the Landmark Trust, the National Trust and the RSPB, and their aim was to make the island rat-free by Easter. However, this does not seem to be happening.

So far only four rat carcasses have been found - this is by the foursome's own admission! This means that either the rest of the rats have not been killed, or they are dying underground. The latter is highly unlikely as it is a rat's instinct to die in the open.

There may still be time to save the Lundy ship rat!

The undercover investigation revealed:

• Unmarked poison bait tubes - visitors would not have been aware what they were.

• Poison exposed - it was supposed to be covered over with a 'lid'.

• Inadequate precautions taken to prevent poison exposure to non-target species. There was meant to be a wire fitted to the end of the tube to stop larger animals from entering - however this was not the case in 50% of traps.

• Livestock (sheep & chickens) grazing in immediate vicinity to exposed poison.

• A rotting rabbit carcass - the coalition claim that their teams are regularly clearing away dead animals.

• A water trap. This consisted of a water-filled dustbin, above which was a baited rotating pole. When the animal climbed the pole they would slip into the water and drown. It is not known whether the Project was responsible for this, but if not, they should have destroyed it as it is not in line with the eradication programme.

The Project claimed that the 'cull' would be conducted with the utmost care and professionalism - this clearly is not the case.

• Write to the organisations involved. 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

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

• Distribute our Lundy rat campaign leaflets - available from the Animal Aid office.

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