Inglorious Twelfth? Calls for grouse season to be banned to prevent wildfires and peatland damage
Summary
Every year on August 12, people in Britain celebrate the start of grouse hunting season, but this year wildfires on moorlands have damaged habitats and reduced grouse numbers. Environmental groups say that how grouse moors are managed, including burning peatlands, increases fire risks, and some call for banning the hunting season to protect the land.Key Facts
- Grouse hunting season traditionally begins on August 12, known as the Glorious Twelfth.
- Wildfires have damaged moorlands in the UK, harming wildlife and burning peatlands.
- Managing grouse moors often involves burning plants and draining peat, which can make wildfires worse.
- Peat is a wet soil that stores carbon but burns slowly and is hard to put out when dry.
- The UK government recently banned burning vegetation on deep peat to protect habitats.
- The Scottish Green Party has called to ban the start of the grouse hunting season to prevent damage.
- Some chefs are finding fewer grouse available this year due to heat and fires and are careful about where they buy birds from.
- There are concerns about illegal killing of birds of prey on grouse estates to increase grouse numbers.
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