Topic for debate: Killing other peoples' birds

After the success of Controversial Conservation 2013, international conservation charity World Land Trust (WLT) will be holding a second public meeting with Chris Packham at the Royal Society of London on 2 September 2014. 

Panellists at the event will debate issues relating to the persecution of birds from protected species in the UK to birds killed on migration, and will involve TV presenter and naturalist Chris Packham, a patron of World Land Trust, as the guest speaker for a second year in a row. Other guests joining Chris on the panel will include Writer and Scientist Mark Avery and Founder of World Land Trust, John Burton. 

The discussion will also explore the reasons people hunt in the modern world and the social and environmental implications of hunting. 

For many years, Chris has campaigned to raise awareness of the slaughter of migrant birds in Malta, trying equally as hard to stimulate television programme makers to cover the issue. He describes his lack of success in gaining coverage and support as “a sad reflection of our complacent and risk adverse times”. 

John Burton, Chief Executive of World Land Trust said: “The killing of other peoples' birds is a common occurrence in many countries including the British Sovereign Territory in Cyprus, as well as Italy, Lebanon and Egypt. Birds such as Hen Harriers, as well as migrants such as Woodcock and Snipe, are still being killed on our very own doorstep in the UK. The event promises to be another lively evening and we look forward to discussing what actions can be taken to end this controversial, but seriously damaging practice.”

Tickets cost from £20, £25 and £30. To book online visit www.worldlandtrust.org/news/events, telephone World Land Trust on 01986 874422 or email jleverett@worldlandtrust.org.

For more information on World Land Trust, visit www.worldlandtrust.org 

 [ENDS]

For more information please contact:

McCluskey International  Judy McCluskey / Sarah Salord / Jessica Meins

T: 020 8747 2170 E: worldlandtrust@mccluskey.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

About World Land Trust (WLT)

World Land Trust (WLT) is an international conservation charity, which protects the world's most biologically important and threatened habitats acre by acre. Since its foundation in 1989, WLT has funded partner organisations around the world to create reserves, and give permanent protection to habitats and wildlife. The mission of the World Land Trust is: To protect and sustainably manage natural ecosystems of the world; To conserve their biodiversity, with emphasis on threatened habitats and endangered species; To develop partnerships with local individuals, communities and organisations to engage support and commitment among the people who live in project areas; To raise awareness, in the UK and elsewhere, of the need for conservation, to improve understanding and generate support through education, information and fundraising.

WLT's 25th Anniversary Events

Controversial Conservation 2014 is just one of several events taking place this year in celebration of World Land Trust's 25th Anniversary of successfully protecting the world's most biologically important and threatened habitats. Other 25th anniversary events include David Gower and Friends on 3 September 2014 at Blackfriars Hall in Norwich and Nick Baker's Weird Creatures on 24 October 2014 at The Cut in Halesworth.