COLLUSION AND LIES BY VATTENFALL AND FOREST AND LAND SCOTLAND.
COLLUSION AND LIES BY VATTENFALL AND FOREST AND LAND SCOTLAND.
Hi All
First of all, a huge thanks for all your support regarding the theft of our camera by Vattenfall. Our social media and communications are obviously closely monitored by them. They are also aware that the theft was also reported to the police. Well, surprise , surprise, they were obviously feeling the heat and we were contacted by the landowners, Forest and Land Scotland who license Vattenfall, to build the windfarm. They said that the camera had been given to them by Vattenfall and that we could go and collect it. We have duly done that.
On the camera we saw pine martens and badgers which are both protected species. Wildcats often share the same habitat. The beautiful wildcat shown here, was found close to the site of our camera. We could also see the camera being taken on the 25/9/25 at 17:47, but we can’t see the face of the culprit. Let us be absolutely clear, the camera was only returned to us because of collective pressure. It does not negate the point that a crime has still been committed. If someone steals your car, but then gets found out and returns it, that doesn’t mean they didn’t steal your car. As far as we are aware, this is still a live investigation and we have received no information to the contrary. We will wait to hear from the authorities and hope they can identify and hold to account the person who committed the theft.
What is so sad to see, is the lies and collusion between Forest and Land Scotland (FLS) and Vattenfall. Be in no doubt, FLS stand to make millions of pounds from this windfarm. They have clearly got together to concoct a story to justify the theft. Information provided by Doug Harvey, FLS Regional Manager said the following in a message to us:
‘Following receipt of the information you provided on Friday 19 September, we shared this with the license holder currently carrying out forestry in the Clashindarroch area to take appropriate action. Should you wish to discuss this further with the license holder, please contact them on clashindarroch2@vattenfall.com.
With regards to your camera, which you noticed us of on Friday 26 September, being moved – following our investigations we understand that the license holder carrying out forestry operations in the area found your camera during a detailed site survey. As they were not aware of whom the camera belonged to, the decision was made to remove it from site to ensure no conflict between their own activities and those of an unknown third party.
The license holder has since sent your camera to our FLS office in Huntly. Should you wish to arrange collection – or for us to deliver the camera to you directly by post – please let me know in reply to this email’.
Read it very carefully. According to Doug Harvey, he shared the location of our camera with Vattenfall and the fact that it belonged to us. We gave this information on the 19th September, which he refers to. However, he then attempts to justify the theft by saying that Vattenfall removed the camera because they didn’t know who it belonged to. Does he think we are all stupid? He completely contradicts himself. He had already given them the precise camera location and informed them that it was ours. This is appalling behaviour by people from a government organisation who very publicly claim to be involved in the conservation of the Scottish wildcat. Just pure greenwashing, collusion and lies.
We are shining a light into a very murky situation that threatens the most important population of wildcats in Scotland. Thanks to your kindness, we have already increased the number of cameras we have deployed and have increased the technology we are using. Rest assured, should anyone from Vattenfall be stupid enough to try to steal a camera again, we will catch them in the act. As many of you have said, the depths these people will go to in order to suppress the wildcats in the Clashindarroch, is truly shocking. The theft and then collusion to coverup/justify the theft is sickening to see.
We are more determined than ever and will now massively increase our camera and monitoring presence.
As you can see in the picture, the wildcats are there, and Vattenfall and the FLS know it. Collectively we continue to give them a voice. Without all of us, they would be gone without a trace.
As always you can find out more and support our work at:
https://www.wildcathaven.com/donations-page
Thanks as always for your continuing support.
Emily and an extremely determined Wildcat Haven Team