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Vets are calling for urgent action to save a rare breed of sheep on a remote Scottish archipelago from starving to death. Soay sheep, which roam wild on St Kilda, are facing a severe lack of grazing on the main island of Hirta, leading to hundreds of deaths during the winter months. David Buckland and Graham Charlesworth are pushing for better protection and control of the sheep population to prevent further suffering.
The Soay sheep, named after the archipelago’s uninhabited island of Soay, have a long history on St Kilda, with their ancestors brought to the islands thousands of years ago. Despite being wild animals, the sheep have been struggling to find enough food during the harsh winters, resulting in high mortality rates. Currently, there are over 1,800 sheep on Hirta, according to data from the University of Edinburgh’s St Kilda Soay Sheep Project, which has been monitoring the population since 1985.
The Scottish government and the National Trust for Scotland claim that the Soay sheep are considered wild animals and are protected under the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996, similar to Scotland’s wild deer population. While some argue for intervention to reduce suffering and deaths from starvation, others, like retired vet Graham Charlesworth, caution against interfering with the population’s natural process of purging bad genes and inbred individuals. The situation on St Kilda remains complex, with differing opinions on how best to ensure the well-being of these unique sheep.
Despite the challenges faced by the Soay sheep on St Kilda, efforts to address the issue and balance conservation with animal welfare continue. The remote location of the archipelago adds complexity to any potential management plans, making it crucial to consider all perspectives and possible implications of intervention. The debate surrounding the sheep’s welfare underscores the delicate balance between human intervention and allowing natural processes to shape the survival of this rare breed in a challenging environment
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