World Land Trust's Controversial Debate 'Killing Other Peoples' Birds' with Chris Packham

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.”