Scotland's nature agency, NatureScot, is facing accusations of animal cruelty after it was reported that 1,200 greylag geese were culled in a single morning. The agency, established to protect wildlife, has been criticized for its involvement in the "mass killing" of the birds.
NatureScot is a leading member of the Scottish Goose Forum (SGF), which advises the government on managing wild goose populations. The SGF has been employing a method known as 'corralling' to reduce the numbers of greylag geese, which farmers consider pests due to crop damage.
During the summer months, greylag geese shed feathers and are unable to fly. This vulnerability is exploited as they are herded into nets or pens, where their necks are dislocated using a mechanical tool. This method has been stepped up in Orkney and is being considered for Tiree and Islay.
In 2025, a total of 4,052 greylag geese were culled in Orkney. An SGF meeting earlier this year noted the efficiency of corralling, stating, "Corralling is proving an efficient method, allowing large numbers of geese to be culled – 1,200 geese in a single morning."
Animal welfare campaigners have expressed deep concern over the scale of the culling. Animal Aid, an organization advocating for the compassionate treatment of animals, stated that corralling targets birds when they are most vulnerable and that celebrating its efficiency facilitates mass killing. A spokesperson for the group urged a greater emphasis on non-lethal methods.
Devon Docherty, Scottish campaigns manager at Protect the Wild, described the culling of 1,200 geese in one morning as "deeply disturbing." Docherty emphasized that greylag geese are sentient wild animals, not pests, and are an important part of Scotland's wildlife, with Scotland being home to the UK's ancestral wild population.
Greylag geese, the largest native wild goose in Britain, weigh up to 4kg and can damage farm crops by consuming grains like wheat and barley. Beyond corralling during summer, geese are also shot during winter. Another method involves oiling goose eggs to prevent chick development.
While all wildfowl are generally protected by law, an exemption exists for greylags, allowing landowners to obtain licenses to kill them at any time of year to prevent crop damage. NatureScot reported that £700,000 in public funds has been allocated for greylag goose management initiatives across the country.
An Orkney report detailed that efforts concentrate on shooting nesting pairs in the spring and corralling in the summer, followed by shooting in August and September when crops are being damaged. Groups on Islay, Coll, and Tiree are reportedly discussing the introduction of corralling, learning from Orkney's experience.
NatureScot stated that resident greylag goose numbers in Orkney have significantly increased over the past 25 years, from approximately 1,500 birds in 2001 to over 21,000 in 2025, causing considerable issues for local farmers. A NatureScot spokesperson affirmed that the agency has been working on sustainable and humane goose control solutions, describing corralling as a widely used, humane, and efficient method for controlling geese when they are moulting and unable to fly.