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17 April 2009
Trust sheep under attack
Motorcyclists terrorise sheep on south Beds reserve
The Wildlife Trust has had to move its flock of sheep from Totternhoe Knolls Nature Reserve near Dunstable, due to being terrorised by motorcyclists.
A group of youths with motorbikes have been riding around the reserve on their bikes, causing distress and trauma to the grazing Manx Loughton sheep. In the latest incident, the sheep were found in a local woman’s back garden after being chased off the reserve by the bikers.
The Wildlife Trust's reserve manager in Bedforshire, Graham Bellamy, said: "The bikers cut through fencing to get onto the site, meaning the sheep could not be contained. This has been a recurring problem in the Totternhoe area. The sheep have now been removed for the foreseeable future, which will affect the conservation of the site. Sheep are used to graze the area, keeping brushwood in check thus allowing wildflowers to grow."
Graham Bellamy further stated that he would like to talk with the bikers to get them to see the problems they are causing. "This has been going on for years and years and needs some sort of resolution, preferably amicable. "
The sheep have now been moved to Pegsdon Hills Nature Reserve for their safety.