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Urgent calls are being made to end the ‘death and suffering of birds’ at a Glasgow mail depot.
Reports have emerged of birds – including protected lesser black backed gulls – becoming trapped and dying in netting on top of the roof at the Royal Mail centre on Turner Road in Springburn.
Kevin Newell, founder of Humane Wildlife Solutions, says he first brought the issue to the company’s attention in November after spotting a dead magpie tangled in the netting.
Kevin Newell (Image: Humane Wildlife Solutions)
At this time, he also suggested that the netting be removed to prevent further incidents.
Despite this, it remains in place, and Kevin claims that seven amber-listed protected gulls have died at the site since the end of March.
The pest control expert is now urging Royal Mail to remove the netting before ‘more birds are killed’ and to explore humane alternatives.
It is understood that work is underway to replace the netting and that daily inspections are being carried out.
A gull trapped on the roof of the mail centre (Image: Humane Wildlife Solutions)
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Kevin said: “I live locally, and in November, I noticed that there was a dead magpie stuck in the netting.
“I contacted Royal Mail to say ‘you’ll need to remove it [the netting] because if other birds get caught it’s a crime’.
“They got someone to go up there and remove the dead bird pretty quickly. Fast forward to March 26, and I noticed that the netting had come down on one side.
“I told the company that gulls were starting to walk all over it and could get trapped. In my email, I mentioned that these are lesser black backed gulls and they are a protected species which are in decline in Scotland.
“I reminded them that birds had been stuck in the netting before and that the law states that you have 25 hours to remove a live bird from the netting before it’s deemed to be suffering.
“They replied two hours later, saying they were aware of it and they’d put it across to their maintenance team.
“Four weeks since that response, and there have been seven more deaths. Leaving the netting up there is basically like leaving up a bird trap because they know it’s catching and killing birds, and they’re doing nothing about it.
“They’re being negligent on that basis.”
(Image: Humane Wildlife Solutions)
According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), all species of gull are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
In Scotland, this makes it illegal to intentionally or recklessly injure or kill any gull.
Kevin says he believes Royal Mail are being ‘reckless’ and that he reported the deaths to Police Scotland and the Scottish SPCA (SSPCA).
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Gulls sitting on the netting (Image: Humane Wildlife Solutions)
He recalled an incident that took place just over a week ago, where the fire brigade were called out to rescue a frantic bird which had become trapped in the netting.
Despite the quick efforts of Kevin, firefighters, and the SSPCA, the bird sadly died.
(Image: Humane Wildlife Solutions)
Kevin added: “I went out at 10.30am to meet the SSPCA. The bird couldn’t have been up there any longer than 5.30pm the day before, so it should have still been alive.
“The SSPCA also believed this, and so they called out the fire brigade, who brought specialist rescue equipment to get access to the roof.
“They got up, and sadly, the bird had died. There was blood all around it where it had been frantically trying to get out.
“The Royal Mail should have sorted or removed the netting weeks ago when they knew birds were getting caught and killed in it.
“They were told on April 15, 16, and 20, and they did nothing. They’re just being reckless now. It’s a big flat roof, so birds would be really interested in nesting on that site.
“I’m furious because the law is quite clear and simple on this.”
After sharing this news on social media, several others backed Kevin’s calls to remove the netting.
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One person said: “Well done for making such an effort to help save our precious wildlife. Netting needs to be banned completely.
“Our wildlife and especially gulls are being treated appallingly in some places. It’s just not acceptable. We need tougher deterrents for wildlife crime, and netting is a big part of the cruelty inflicted on our precious birds that are just trying to survive in this harsh world.”
A second added: “This scenario is disturbing.”
A third commented: “A despicable situation, Kevin, and you’re doing a fine job dealing with it, defending our voiceless wildlife even though the netting is still up catching birds.”
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “There are no birds trapped currently, and inspections are taking place daily to ensure there are no more trappings.
“Work has started to replace the netting on the roof to prevent further incidents.”
An SSPCA spokesperson added: “We are ensuring that the work is being carried out as soon as possible.
“If anyone sees any trapped birds, they should contact our animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
Police Scotland was contacted for comment.
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