Latest news with #Highlands
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Don't use 'value-laden language' against seagulls...it might 'demonise' them, claims veteran SNP MSP
An MSP called for seagulls not to be 'demonised' after the Scottish government announced a summit to address serious concerns about the birds attacking people. Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie confirmed the move in a debate on the issue of gulls swooping on the public raised by both former Conservative leader Douglas Ross and SNP grandee Fergus Ewing. But the SNP's Christine Grahame said: 'Language such as 'mugging' and 'menace' can be applied to us, our counterparts, but it is not appropriate to demonise an animal simply looking for food.' She claimed people should modify their own behaviour to tackle the problem and added: 'What we mustn't have is people versus gulls, or gulls versus people.' Mr Ross, a Highlands and Islands Tory MSP, told the chamber he has been 'inundated' with concerns about gulls from constituents, including a couple in the village of Hopeman who were 'worried about going out of their home'. Grahame, who has announced she will not stand in the 2026 Scottish parliament election, pointed members to a submission from the OneKind animal charity that urged them to avoid 'value-laden language' that described gulls as a 'menace or nuisance' and their behaviour as 'mugging' or 'dive-bombing'. Highlands and Islands MSP Mr Ross said: 'Well, I will say these gulls are a menace, they are dive-bombing and they are a problem.' Mr Ewing, who represents Inverness and Nairn, said a swooping gull could cause serious injury for an elderly person while their droppings can cause 'potentially lethal' illness in an infant. The minister said: 'There is absolutely no doubt - we've heard from members right across the chamber - that the people are being injured, they are being attacked and this is something that we have to deal with.' He said action needs to also be taken to find out if human behaviour is allowing gulls to 'thrive', including in urban areas as well as licences for dealing with the birds. Mr Fairlie said: 'I've already said that I will convene a summit in Inverness and we will look at the entire issue.' The power to hand out licenses to deal with birds is with NatureScot, a government-funded quango whose role includes conserving gull numbers as well as controlling them. Mr Fairlie said that licences can only be issued if there is a clear health and safety concern and not because the birds are regarded as a menace or nuisance. Mr Ewing asked if any analysis has been done by the Scottish Government or NatureScot about the health risks, and warned: 'I believe there has been no analysis whatsoever. If so, and there is a fatality, this Government will be held responsible for that fatality because they haven't looked into it.' Mr Ross said: 'In typical nationalist fashion Jim Fairlie believes that another talking shop will solve all these issues when he could take action right now.'
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Hold ‘gull summit' before birds kill someone, Scottish Tories say
The Scottish Tories have called for a summit on gulls before one of the birds kills somebody. Rachael Hamilton MSP said a nationwide discussion must be held, with Scots left ' scared, attacked and traumatised '. Douglas Ross, the Scottish Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands agreed the birds were a growing problem and suggested it was only a matter of time ' before we see someone killed due to being attacked by a gull'. It follows reports of people in Moray being dive-bombed by gulls. In one case, an elderly woman broke her leg in a gull attack. Mr Ross highlighted 'bizarre' advice from the NatureScot watchdog advising people to patrol potential nesting areas before the birds settle in. He accused the watchdog of failing to protect coastal communities and said the quango – which has dual responsibility for issuing control licences and protecting bird numbers – had 'lost the plot.' Mr Ross added: 'The time has come to breakup NatureScot. There is a clear conflict of interest in the fact they are responsible for considering licences to control gulls but are also responsible for protecting bird numbers.' The row follows a cross-party debate on urban gulls in Holyrood on Thursday. Jim Fairlie, the agriculture minister, said he sympathised with communities that suffer from aggressive gulls and said removing food sources was 'the most effective route to avoiding issues'. He added: 'In cases where it is justified, NatureScot provides licences for control when public health and safety is at risk. In the UK and Europe gulls are protected by law, with their overall numbers declining, so lethal measures must be a last resort.' Mr Ross said: 'If the minister cannot see that is a problem, then he is divorced from reality. The strength of the cross-party support in my debate today should be all the SNP government need to finally act before we see someone killed due to being attacked by a gull.' People living in the coastal town of Nairn are among those who believe more action is needed to tackle the birds. Caroline Mackay, who has lived in Nairn for almost 50 years, told BBC Scotland: 'I know they are part of living beside the sea, and I accept that, but they are quite a danger.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- Science
- BBC News
Highland red deer tracked by GPS in behaviour study
Researchers have fitted GPS collars on red deer in the west Highlands to help track their movement and devices will be fitted on 22 stags while GPS ear tags have also been placed on six calves to help monitor them as they travel through the landscape with their mothers. The study, involving sporting estates and conservation organisations, is a partnership between the charity Affric Highlands and Durham hope their findings will help with efforts to keep deer populations healthy and sustainable and with the restoration of native habitats like woodlands. Dr Eilidh Smith from Durham University said they would be tracking and mapping red deer movements to assess their seasonal migrations and home range added that this would build knowledge of how they respond to human activities such as fencing, culling and commercial Williamson, field officer for Affric Highlands, said red deer were a vital part of Scotland's upland landscapes and rural economies – but "increased populations have led to challenges in balancing ecological health, biodiversity, and land management objectives."She said strengthening understanding of how the animals moved across estates and habitats was "key to recovering ecosystems and improving deer health."
RNZ News
3 days ago
- RNZ News
Papua New Guinea police blame overrun system for prison breakouts
PNG's courts and prisons are completely overrun, Clement Dala says. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades Police in Papua New Guinea say the country's overrun courts and prisons are behind mass breakouts from police custody. Chief Superintendent Clement Dala made the comment after 13 detainees escaped last Tuesday in Simbu Province, including eight who were facing murder charges. Dala said an auxiliary policeman who had the keys to a holding cell at Kundiawa Police Station is also on the run. Police are investigating a claim by local media that he is the partner of a female escapee who was facing trial for murder. Six police officers on duty at the time have been suspended for 21 days while investigations continue. "The auxiliary officer is not a recognised police officer and should not have had the key, but it appears he was helping the sole police officer on cell duties," said Dala, who is the acting assistant commissioner for three Highlands provinces. Dala said it appears the auxiliary officer wandered off for a meal and left the cell door open at the entrance to the police station. "He may have played a role in assisting the escapees, but we are still trying to find out exactly what happened." "If we find it was deliberate then he will definitely be arrested. He is probably hiding somewhere nearby and we'll get to him as soon as we can," he said. As of Wednesday, none of the escapees had been caught. Police are relying on community leaders to encourage them to surrender. But this could take a month or longer and police fear some could reoffend. He said the police have previously been told not to use auxiliary officers in any official capacity as they are community liaison officers. "This is a symptom of our severe staff shortages, but I have reissued an instruction banning them from front-line duties," he said. Dala said PNG's courts and prisons are completely overrun, and this is the main reason detainees in police custody escape. He said on any given day there could be up to 200 people on remand in police cells under his command and many bring in weapons and drugs. "We have different cells for different remandees, but if we are overcrowded we have to keep prisoners in the main corridor, especially those who have committed minor crimes," he said. Dala said some remand prisoners are being kept in police holding cells for more than a month. He said the police have faced a lack of political to deal with severe staff shortages, a lack of training across the force and outdated infrastructure.
Geek Girl Authority
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
OUTLANDER: BLOOD OF MY BLOOD Gets Season 2 Renewal at STARZ
Highlights STARZ has renewed Outlander: Blood of My Blood for Season 2. Outlander: Blood of My Blood The early renewal comes less than two months from the show's inaugural season premiere. Production for Season 2 began today in Scotland. Outlander: Blood of My Blood STARZ is all in on this ancestral love story. The network has granted an early Season 2 renewal for Outlander: Blood of My Blood , the highly anticipated prequel to mega-hit Outlander . The news comes less than two months from its series premiere this summer. RELATED: New TV Shows This Week (June 22 – 28) About the Show Here's a synopsis for the series per STARZ: ' Outlander: Blood of My Blood follows the romance between Ellen MacKenzie and Brian Fraser, and Julia Moriston and Henry Beauchamp. From the battlefields of World War I to the rugged Highlands of 18th-century Scotland, two fated couples must defy the forces that seek to tear them apart, unfolding in surprising and unforeseen ways.' The Cast and Crew Season 1 stars Jeremy Irvine as Henry Beauchamp, Harriet Slater as Ellen MacKenzie, Hermione Corfield as Julia Moriston, Jamie Roy as Brian Fraser, Tony Curran as Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat; Rory Alexander as Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser, Séamus McLean Ross as Colum MacKenzie, Sam Retford as Dougal MacKenzie and Conor MacNeill as Ned Gowan. Matthew B. Roberts is at the helm as showrunner and executive producer. Ronald D. Moore, Maril Davis and Jim Kolhberg are also executive producers. RELATED: Read our Outlander recaps Here's what Roberts had to say regarding the show's Season 2 renewal: 'The passion and talent our cast and crew have poured into Outlander: Blood of My Blood has been extraordinary, and we're thrilled to continue these epic love stories in Season 2. Just as audiences fell in love with Jamie and Claire, we hope viewers will be enamored by these new couples when they meet them this summer.' Outlander: Blood of My Blood premieres on Friday, August 8, 2025, only on STARZ. Production for Season 2 is currently underway in Scotland. TV Review: THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR Season 1 Contact: [email protected] What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events. Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet. Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium. Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
