Freedom of Information Request - Licences to kill ravens in Orkney
Date: 23 June 2025
Our ref: SIR180353/A5205127
Information Request – Licences to kill ravens in Orkney
Your Request
‘Please let me have the following information:
1. How many license requests to kill ravens in Orkney for the purposes of protecting livestock were received by you from 01/01/2024 to 15/05/2025?
2. How many of the requests at 1. were from the same entity (individual or business)?
3. How many of the requests at 1. were granted and for how many birds in each case?
4. Of the request that were granted, what was the maximum time between receipt of the request and the granting of the request?
5. What evidence of attacks on lambs and ewes was provided by the applicant?
6. How was it determined, from the evidence provided, that raven(s) actually killed the livestock in the evidence provided, rather than them scavenging from already dead animals?
7. What was the total number of ravens killed a) in the calendar year 2024 and b) in the calendar year 2025 to date?
8. Please list the number licences issued per Orkney parish.’
Our Response
Following a search of the information we hold our response is below.
How many license requests to kill ravens in Orkney for the purposes of protecting livestock were received by you from 01/01/2024 to 15/05/2025?
Eight licence applications were received and one in-year amendment request.
How many of the requests at 1. were from the same entity (individual or business)?
Six locations had licences in 2024/2025. Licences are held by individual licence holders and as such we cannot release who has a licence. Releasing personal data into the public domain in response to an access to information request would breach the Data Protection Act 2018. We are therefore withholding the information under 11(2) (Personal Data) of the EIRs.
How many of the requests at 1. were granted and for how many birds in each case?
All requests were granted.
| Licence Number | Number of Birds | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 260708 | 5 | |
| 262523 | 5 | |
| 262724 | 2 | |
| 289282 | 5 | Amended to 289561 |
| 289561 | 5 | Amendment of 289282 (10 in total) |
| 289866 | 2 | |
| 290544 | 2 | |
| 292277 | 2 | |
| 292509 | 2 |
Of the request that were granted, what was the maximum time between receipt of the request and the granting of the request?
Of the granted licences above, the maximum time to grant any of the licences was 21 days. This related to one application, received on 13/03/2025 and issued on the 03/04/2025. This included the return for the previous licence and a request and subsequent follow up request for further information. The information was received on 02/04/2025 enabling the application to be assessed.
What evidence of attacks on lambs and ewes was provided by the applicant?
Following a search of the relevant licence applications the information is in the table below.
| Licence number | Evidence |
|---|---|
| 260708 | Previous damage experienced: up to 20+ ravens have attacked and killed newborn lambs or ewes in the past and it is likely that this will occur again. |
| 262523 | Previous damage experienced: 50+ juvenile ravens have attacked and / or killed couped ewes/lambing ewes/newborn lambs, this included ewes being attacked when stuck on their backs, early born lambs tongues removed and cannot suckle and lambing ewes being attacked at the head and tail. |
| 262724 | Previous damage experienced: 20 ravens have attacked lambing ewes, calves. This has included ewes being harassed so unable to lamb, and calves losing tongues and eye so had to be shot. |
| 289282 | Previous damage experienced: Up to 20+ ravens have attacked and killed newborn lambs or ewes in the past and it is likely that this will occur again. Lambs have tongues and eyes taken by the raven. |
| 289561 | Allocation of current licence reached and still experiencing damage, request to increase bag limit. |
| 289866 | Previous damage experienced: The applicant is anticipating that 10-12 ravens will attack (as has happened in previous years) and kill lambing ewes and newborn lambs. Ewes have lost their eyes to raven attacks, lambs predated in the field, sheep stuck on their backs attacked resulting in death from stomach punctures. |
| 290544 | Previous damage experienced: 12 ravens have attacked lambing ewes and calves resulting in ewes having to be shot. |
| 292277 | Video of damaged Ewe and photos of lambs and Ewe damaged provided. Previous damage experienced: 20+ ravens have attacked and killed lambing ewes, newborn lambs and a calf. |
| 292509 | Photos of damaged lambs provided. Previous damage experienced: 20 -30 ravens have attacked lambs. |
How was it determined, from the evidence provided, that raven(s) actually killed the livestock in the evidence provided, rather than them scavenging from already dead animals?
The majority of applications received cite damage to live animals, rather than dead livestock found with raven damage to them. Photographs and videos are often provided as evidence that damage is already occurring as well as accounts from the farmers and staff who work there. In addition, in the licence return licence holders must state how successful the shooting was at addressing the problem and this may include details of livestock losses.
What was the total number of ravens killed a) in the calendar year 2024 and b) in the calendar year 2025 to date?
a) 12 Ravens in 2024
b) 5 Ravens in 2025 – 5 licences still valid and returns not yet submitted.
Please list the number licences issued per Orkney parish.
We will not be releasing this information as it is identifiable for individuals that hold licences. Releasing personal or identifiable data into the public domain in response to an access to information request would breach the Data Protection Act 2018. We are therefore withholding the information under 11(2) (Personal Data) of the EIRs.
How We Handled Your Request
We believe you have asked for environmental information as defined in the Environmental Information (Scotland Regulations 2004 (‘the EIRs’), so we are dealing with your request under those regulations. To be able to use the EIRs, we must apply an exemption under section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (‘FOISA’). The Scottish Information Commissioner’s guidance recommends that public authorities apply this exemption to environmental information and handle request under the EIRs.
If you would like to find out more about the access to information legislation, there is a guidance booklet available on the Scottish Information Commissioner’s website.
Review and Appeal
I hope this information meets your requirements, but if you are dissatisfied with how we have responded to your information request, please write to us within 40 working days explaining your concerns. You can contact us at Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW or email us at [email protected]. We will carry out a review of our response and contact you with our findings within 20 working days.
If you are not satisfied following this, you can make an appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner within 6 months. The Scottish Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Telephone: 01334 464610
Yours sincerely
FOI Officer,
NatureScot
