LOGGING IN THE CLASHINDARROCH -WE NEED YOUR HELP

Hi All

It is with great sadness and frustration, that we are informing you about logging that we recently found in the Clashindarroch. As you all know this is the mating season and so it is an absolutely crucial time of year. We know that these cats have territories and a social structure and any disruption to that, could mean that matings don’t occur. Obviously, a reduction in matings equals a reduction in kittens. It has been a very stressful time as we have tried to stop the logging. The logging is taking place along the border of the site of Vattenfall’s proposed windfarm. We immediately contacted the enforcement team at Aberdeenshire council, to find out if the logging was carried being carried out by Vattenfall contractors. Operational work associated with the windfarm can’t happen yet as Vattenfall have not met the approval requirements. There are a number of conditions that have not been discharged. Plus of course there is our ongoing legal campaign which is far from over. We remain as determined as ever to get the decision overturned and we will be updating you on our campaign shortly.

The council were very helpful and did some investigatory work. It transpires that the logging has been carried out by Forestry Commission Scotland (they are now rebranded as Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS)). They claim that it is part of ongoing land management. However, there are 2 crucial issues to note.

1.      FLS are in partnership with Vattenfall. Vattenfall are using FLS land and will no doubt be using FLS staff for Forestry operations. It obviously raises the question, is felling for the windfarm being carried out under the guise of land management?

2.      All over the FLS website there are grand claims to be promoting  biodiversity. There is also a lot of mention avoiding forestry operations during the wildcat breeding season. But they claim that the breeding season starts in February. However, that is simply not true and contradicts the scientific literature and even information published by the government. The breeding season starts in mid to late December. That is when females become fertile.

A lot of your will recall us asking you to contact FLS two years ago, when we previously caught them logging during the breeding season. We have tried to call the Head office and have left a message to contact us a matter of urgency. As you have done before, we ask you to stand with us and request an immediate stop to all forestry operation in the Clashindarroch. Collectively we have a very loud voice and the wildcats need us to speak for them. Please email the following email address:

enquiries@forestryandland.gov.scot

Put the subject line as ‘STOP CLASHINDARROCH LOGGING’, then let them know your concerns and ask them to stop logging operations. You can see in the video of the scale of the logging. This is very serious and concerning stuff. It is absolutely vital that the precious Clashindarroch wildcats have the chance to mate and raise their young, without their homes being destroyed and disturbed.

We will keep you updated on any developments and any contact we have with FLS.

Many thanks as always.

Emily and the Wildcat Haven Team.