Organised criminal gangs are behind a huge increase in deer poaching in Scotland, it was claimed yesterday.
Figures released by the National Wildlife Crime Unit show deer poaching rose 47% last year, with some estates losing up to 50 deer.
Incidents of hare coursing across Scotland increased by a massive 120% while salmon poaching was up 75%.
The NWCU said the figures could be even higher, as data from some areas had still to be included.
The figures were released to coincide with the launch at the Atholl Estate in Perthshire of an initiative to tackle poaching.
Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing said: “I am concerned at the rise in poaching and coursing in Scotland over the past year.
“These crimes involve serious, organised criminals and have a significant economic impact on rural communities.
“The Scottish Government is committed to helping reduce these crimes by working in partnership with people with the specialist knowledge, resources and skills to tackle them."
The latest initiative includes posters and leaflets to encourage the public to report incidents of poaching.
It is being taken forward by the Scottish Government in partnership with several other organisations, including NWCU and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland.
Central Scotland Police deputy chief constable Iain MacLeod said: “What we're seeing more evidence of is much more organised activity.
“It's not so much the traditional image of the one individual going out for one for the pot.
“It's organised crime groups who are clearly in this as a form of business."
Mr MacLeod said there were also concerns over inappropriate weapons being used to poach deer, which often seriously injured the animals rather than killing them outright.
Officers had recently seen evidence of poachers hunting with crossbows and the wrong calibre of weapon.
He added: “The type of people that are involved now don't have the knowledge or the experience, and I think that's quite a serious animal-welfare issue from that point of view.”