Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is continuing to defend its controversial decision to allow the culling of ravens in order to protect declining numbers of wading birds.

SNH recently announced its decision for a five-year trail to take place in Strathbraan, Perthshire, in order to assess whether a reduced number of ravens leads to an increase in the numbers of wading birds, such as curlew and lapwing.

The decision has since attracted a lot of public criticism and the RSPB has since written to SNH insisting that there is a lack of evidence on the impact ravens have on other birds.

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Mike Cantlay, chair of SNH has commented: “I absolutely appreciate the emotion that people feel for our wildlife. Every member of staff at SNH wants to do the very best for Scotland’s Nature. But with our changing climate there are tough choices to be made to protect Scotland’s most vulnerable species.”