Cape Wrath
Mon., April 28, 2008. 18:41.
Exercises are a "war on wildlife".
NATO armies are currently taking part in an exercise on Cape Wrath, near Durness, called Operation Joint Warrior (1). Although this location is regularly used for these exercises, the MoD normally follows advice to avoid the spring both to protect local seabird populations (2) and also to take account of the lambing season.
Robin Harper MSP said:
"We have long objected to Scotland being used for target practice, but the Ministry of Defence have sunk to a new low this time. They know they should at the very least stay away in springtime to protect our seabirds and farm livestock, and live firing under these conditions is nothing less than a war on wildlife."
Notes
1. The area covered by this exercise is shown here: http://www.rnopsscotland.com/. For dates, see: http://secretscotland.wordpress.com/2008/04/10/exercise-joint-warrior-2008/
2. Bird species living on Cape Wrath include golden eagles, ptarmigans, crossbills, crested tit, fulmars, kittiwakes, shags, puffins, red throated divers, black throated divers, and greenshanks. See: http://www.capewrath.org.uk/Wildlife.htm
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.