苏格兰传统的guga狩猎活动近日被取消，这是这项活动持续约400年以来的首次停止。[1]野生动物管理机构NatureScot以可能对gannet种群造成不利影响为由，拒绝向猎人颁发许可证。[1]NatureScot表示，"基于最新信息，我们已得出结论，即使在申请者要求的2,000只幼鸟限额，以及降低至500只的限额下，不利影响都是可能发生的"。[1]
这项年度狩猎活动规模庞大，允许猎人在10天内从苏格兰赫布里底群岛的Sula Sgeir岛捕杀多达2,000只gannet幼鸟。[1]该狩猎传统可追溯至维京时代。[1]此举获得动物权益支持者的广泛支持，超过100,000人签署请愿书反对该做法，其中Protect the Wild的请愿书签名超过250,000人。[1]然而，本地社区则指控反狩猎活动人士进行骚扰和破坏。[1]此前，两名穿gannet服装的男子因占据NatureScot总部屋顶而在3月被逮捕并控罪。[1]
值得注意的是，该狩猎活动在《野生动物与乡村法案》下获得法律认可，NatureScot的决定不防止未来年份的许可证申请。[1]
Scotland's traditional guga hunt has been halted for the first time in approximately four centuries after wildlife authorities declined to issue permits for the annual cull [1]. NatureScot, the country's wildlife management agency, based its decision on the latest population models, concluding that the hunt could adversely affect gannet populations even at reduced quotas [1]. The authority stated that "based on the latest information, we have concluded that adverse impacts are likely to occur" both at the requested limit of 2,000 juvenile gannets and at a reduced level of 500 birds [1].
The hunt, which takes place on Sula Sgeir island in Scotland's Hebrides and allows participants to kill up to 2,000 juvenile gannets within a 10-day period, has deep historical roots tracing back to Viking times [1]. Animal welfare organizations celebrated the decision as a victory, with petitions against the practice garnering significant public support, including one with over 250,000 signatures from the group Protect the Wild [1]. However, local communities have accused anti-hunting activists of harassment and vandalism, with two men dressed in gannet costumes being arrested and charged in March for occupying the roof of NatureScot's headquarters [1]. Despite the cancellation, the hunt remains legally recognized under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, meaning future permit applications are not prevented [1].