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 ===== Introduction ===== ===== Introduction =====
  
-Are corvids cold blooded killers or merely opportunistic scavengers? This is the question we are trying to answer in this blog post. Mainstream media and advertising businesses often have a tendency to present an idyllic and idealised version of farming practices, showcasing for example animals living in picturesque environments. This imagery is employed to evoke positive emotions and create a connection with consumers. It is nothing else than a marketing strategy aimed at promoting the products derived from the use of non-human animals, such as meat or wool, by associating them with positive and wholesome images. Humans have a natural inclination to connect with and appreciate the beauty of animals. The sight of a playful and adorable lamb triggers positive emotions, such as joy and warmth, which does evoke empathy and a sense of compassion.+{{ :2016-11-04_5648.jpeg?200|}}Are corvids cold blooded killers or merely opportunistic scavengers? This is the question we are trying to answer in this blog post. Mainstream media and advertising businesses often have a tendency to present an idyllic and idealised version of farming practices, showcasing for example animals living in picturesque environments. This imagery is employed to evoke positive emotions and create a connection with consumers. It is nothing else than a marketing strategy aimed at promoting the products derived from the use of non-human animals, such as meat or wool, by associating them with positive and wholesome images. Humans have a natural inclination to connect with and appreciate the beauty of animals. The sight of a playful and adorable lamb triggers positive emotions, such as joy and warmth, which does evoke empathy and a sense of compassion.
  
 Bearing this in mind, then it is not surprising that the sight of corvids scavenging on such an innocent being will without a doubt be repulsive for most people, who will immediately sympathise with the victim, and not with the scavenger. Unfortunately, media representations of such wildlife interactions with domesticated non-human animals are commonly very much one-sided, despite the well known fact that it is always essential to consider all nuances and complexities of such interactions. Bearing this in mind, then it is not surprising that the sight of corvids scavenging on such an innocent being will without a doubt be repulsive for most people, who will immediately sympathise with the victim, and not with the scavenger. Unfortunately, media representations of such wildlife interactions with domesticated non-human animals are commonly very much one-sided, despite the well known fact that it is always essential to consider all nuances and complexities of such interactions.
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 Media outlets often have business relationships with various industries, including the agricultural and food industries. These relationships shape the narrative and content that is promoted. As the livestock industry plays a significant role in the economy, media organisations are influenced by the interests of these industries and often choose not to cover processes that may raise ethical or environmental concerns. Also, media outlets often aim to appeal to their target audience and consider what content is likely to resonate with them. Media outlets often have business relationships with various industries, including the agricultural and food industries. These relationships shape the narrative and content that is promoted. As the livestock industry plays a significant role in the economy, media organisations are influenced by the interests of these industries and often choose not to cover processes that may raise ethical or environmental concerns. Also, media outlets often aim to appeal to their target audience and consider what content is likely to resonate with them.
  
-Scapegoating is often being used to distract from the reality of intensive agricultural farming practices, and their side effects, such as high lamb mortality. However, corvids are not the only ones, as other species such as badgers, foxes and birds or prey are equally blamed and misrepresented.  (33, 34, 35) +Scapegoating is often being used to distract from the reality of intensive agricultural farming practices, and their side effects, such as high lamb mortality. However, corvids are not the only ones, as other species such as badgers, foxes and birds or prey are equally blamed and misrepresented. ((Scottish Badgers, Badger and Lamb / Sheep Interaction Evidence Sheet, January 2023, https://www.scottishbadgers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/9-Fact-Sheet-SHEEP-AND-LAMBS.pdf)) ((Investigation into golden eagle predation of lambs on Benbecula in 2003, Steve Campbell and Gill Hartley, Scottish Agricultural Science Agency 2004.)) ((Scottish National Heritage, Commissioned Report No. 370, Is lamb survival in the Scottish Uplands related to the presence of breeding white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) as well as other livestock predators and environmental variables? A pilot study into sea eagle predation on lambs in the Gairloch area. https://raptorpersecutionscotland.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/b603609_wtelambstudygairloch_2010.pdf)) 
-Existing conflicts between farmers and conservationists regarding the management of bird populations create additional pressure on to the farming community. Farmers may argue that controlling corvid populations is necessary to protect crops and prevent economic losses, while conservationists may emphasise the importance of preserving biodiversity and protecting bird species. Painting a negative picture of these birds seems to be a way for farmers to garner support for their perspective and gain understanding for otherwise unjustifiable actions.  (36, 37, 38, 39, 40)+
  
-Bibliography +Existing conflicts between farmers and conservationists regarding the management of bird populations create additional pressure on to the farming community. Farmers may argue that controlling corvid populations is necessary to protect crops and prevent economic losses, while conservationists may emphasise the importance of preserving biodiversity and protecting bird species. Painting a negative picture of these birds seems to be a way for farmers to garner support for their perspective and gain understanding for otherwise unjustifiable actions. ((Houston, David. “The Effect of Hooded Crows on Hill Sheep Farming in Argyll, Scotland: Hooded Crow Damage to Hill Sheep.” Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 14, no. 1, 1977, pp. 17–29. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/2401823. Accessed 7 Aug. 2023.)) ((Owens, I.P.F., Bennett, P.M. (2000) Ecological basis of extinction risk in birds: Habitat loss versus human persecution and introduced predators. PNAS. 97(22): 12144-12148)) ((Pirie, T.J., Thomas, R.L., Fellowes, M.D.E. (2022) Pet cats (Felis catus) from urban boundaries use different habitats, have larger home ranges and kill more prey than cats from the suburbs. Landscape and Urban Planning. 220: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104338)) ((Roos, S., Smart, J., Gibbons, D.W., Wilson, J.D. (2018) A review of predation as a limiting factor for bird populations in mesopredator-rich landscapes: a case study of the UK. Biological Reviews. 93(4): 1915-1937.)) ((Woods, M., McDonald, R.A., Harris, S. (2003) Predation of wildlife by domestic cats Felis catus in Great Britain. Mammal Review. 33: 174– 188.))
- +
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-    33. Scottish Badgers, Badger and Lamb / Sheep Interaction Evidence Sheet, January 2023, https://www.scottishbadgers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/9-Fact-Sheet-SHEEP-AND-LAMBS.pdf  +
-    34. Investigation into golden eagle predation of lambs on Benbecula in 2003, Steve Campbell and Gill Hartley, Scottish Agricultural Science Agency 2004.  +
-    35. Scottish National Heritage, Commissioned Report No. 370, Is lamb survival in the Scottish Uplands related to the presence of breeding white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) as well as other livestock predators and environmental variables? A pilot study into sea eagle predation on lambs in the Gairloch area. https://raptorpersecutionscotland.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/b603609_wtelambstudygairloch_2010.pdf  +
-    36. Houston, David. “The Effect of Hooded Crows on Hill Sheep Farming in Argyll, Scotland: Hooded Crow Damage to Hill Sheep.” Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 14, no. 1, 1977, pp. 17–29. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/2401823. Accessed 7 Aug. 2023.  +
-    37. Owens, I.P.F., Bennett, P.M. (2000) Ecological basis of extinction risk in birds: Habitat loss versus human persecution and introduced predators. PNAS. 97(22): 12144-12148  +
-    38. Pirie, T.J., Thomas, R.L., Fellowes, M.D.E. (2022) Pet cats (Felis catus) from urban boundaries use different habitats, have larger home ranges and kill more prey than cats from the suburbs. Landscape and Urban Planning. 220: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104338  +
-    39. Roos, S., Smart, J., Gibbons, D.W., Wilson, J.D. (2018) A review of predation as a limiting factor for bird populations in mesopredator-rich landscapes: a case study of the UK. Biological Reviews. 93(4): 1915-1937.  +
-    40. Woods, M., McDonald, R.A., Harris, S. (2003) Predation of wildlife by domestic cats Felis catus in Great Britain. Mammal Review. 33: 174– 188.  +
-       +
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