Scottish islanders refused permission to stage annual guga hunt

Scotland’s NatureScot has refused to license an annual guga hunt on the uninhabited Hebridean island of Sula Sgeir, ending what would have been the last remaining guga hunt in the country this year. The plan involved killing hundreds of young seabirds—gannet chicks—harvested for meat each summer. NatureScot cited concerns about the impact on the gannet population, after a recommendation from officials. Animal welfare groups welcomed the decision, while supporters accused campaigners of “bullying” the small island community. The hunt, led by about 10 islanders known as the Men of Ness over roughly 10 days in August, has historical roots going back to Viking times and has previously been halted by bird-flu concerns.