The RSPB has commented after a video emerged of one of many charity’s wardens stamping on a sick Great Skua.
The video, published on the Express website, reveals warden Ibrahim Alfarwi chasing the skua on Coquet Island earlier than treading on its tail and beckoning volunteers over. According to the Express, an eyewitness accused him of ‘torturing’ the fowl by standing on it for 4 minutes, earlier than wringing its neck.
As a results of the footage, a RSPB spokesperson mentioned: “We are conscious of this video, which was filmed in summer season 2022, and which breaches our personal excessive requirements and procedures. We are sorry for the best way this fowl was handled and have absolutely investigated the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“While we won’t touch upon particulars of particular instances, the individual within the video was instructed to catch the fowl as a way to forestall additional struggling and the unfold of fowl flu. Action has now been taken. The person with duty and accountability for Coquet Island at the moment is now not employed by us.
“The RSPB is dedicated to sustaining the very best requirements of administration of birds on our nature reserves.”
A nonetheless from the footage of Mr Alfarwi (Solent News through Express.co.uk).
RSPB speaks out
A volunteer, who took the recording however needs to stay nameless, is quoted within the Express article as being shocked and disgusted on the ‘rogue’ behaviour.
According to the Express, Mr Alfarwi revealed he nonetheless works for the RSPB and that the video was taken with out his consent. He mentioned: “The fowl was unwell, struggling and had been on the island for a number of days. I used to be instructed to dispatch the fowl by my supervisor to finish its struggling.
“The fowl was rapidly and humanely dispatched and there was no widespread blood splatter as alleged. I used to be not sporting the proper PPE as my supervisor didn’t present this for me.
“The RSPB was made conscious of this video (filmed in 2022) the next 12 months (2023) and the content material and circumstances encompass it have been absolutely investigated. The person with accountability and duty for the island on the time of the video, my supervisor, now not works for the RSPB.”
Shocked witness
The video has attracted remark from the RSPCA, who mentioned: “This video is distressing and we welcome the RSPB’s swift dealing with of this incident, which occurred in 2022. We perceive the challenges of coping with avian influenza however the welfare of animals should at all times be a precedence.”
Coquet Island was severely impacted by fowl flu in 2022, although there have been indicators of immunity amongst some species final 12 months.
