Responding to reports that NatureScot has granted a licence to allow the cruel killing of up to 500 baby gannets on Sula Sgeir off Lewis, Jason Rose, CEO of OneKind, which campaigns to end cruelty to animals in Scotland, said: 

“Snatching wild baby birds from their nests and bashing their heads in, using the excuse of tradition, will appal and embarrass most people in the Western Isles and across Scotland. 

“There is simply no need for this cruel activity to take place. 

“We live in a modern society where we have many more choices about where our food comes from. 

“The guga hunt is a grisly story from history that should be left in books or a museum. 

“The Scottish Government and its nature agency have made a poor decision. Do they really think this kind of cruel and unnecessary activity is how anyone wants Scotland to be seen in the year 2025?  

“OneKind will be writing to both NatureScot and Scottish Ministers asking them to rethink. It’s not too late to save these beautiful wild bird chicks.” 

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