Stalking to continue on Scottish rewilding project

A conservation trust is for now to allow deerstalking to continue on an 18,500-acre Scottish estate that it plans to rewild. 

The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust started leasing the Dalnacardoch Estate in Perthshire in October 2023 but has now received criticism from a member who claims the group is “enabling hunting”. Paul Masterton added that the charity had “travelled so far from its roots and values”. 

The Jersey-based trust says deerstalking is part of Scottish culture and the chairman of the board of trustees, Matthew Hatchwell, commented: “Rather than just going in as a conservation organisation and saying no more stalking, we are taking a very pragmatic view. 

“For the future that may be the plan, but we’re not at that stage yet.” 

Mr Masterton, who was formerly chief executive of Durrell before stepping down in 2012, said: “My immediate concern is that Durrell is enabling hunting to continue on this estate. I’m not talking about culling, which is a sometimes sad but very necessary tool for wildlife management. 

“I’m talking about trophy hunting and blood sports where people pay a licence fee [to] stalk and kill animals.” 

Mr Masterton ran for election to Durrell’s board of trustees in October but failed to be elected