Stink Bins and Pits

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Stink bins or pits are piles of dead bodies which are laid near snares in order to attract more predators in to be caught and killed. In the Peak District, dead foxes, mountain hares, crows, pheasants and chickens have all been found in these piles.

Stink pits increase the effectiveness of snares and are therefore favoured by gamekeepers. But they are a blight on our landscape. Visitors to the Peak District and North Yorkshire Moors National Parks do not want to find piles of treasured wildlife left out as a lure to kill yet more animals.

The Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust have some useful information and evidence about stink bins from their Our Moors campaign. They have highlighted the impact of snaring and stink bins upon resident Mountain Hares in the Peak District.

HOW TO HELP:

• Be alert: Please document and report any stink pits or bins immediately.
• Be aware that pets may also be lured by the carcasses and are therefore at risk of being snared.
• If dead domestic livestock has been used, this is probably in breach of legislation around safe disposal of carcasses. Please document your findings, including photos/videos, location and description. Report to Moorland Monitors and the relevant local council’s Trading Standards immediately, with as much detail as possible.
• Specific consent is required if a stink bin is used on a SSSI, particularly if any structure has been placed, if the ground has been dug or if imported animal matter has been used. Gamekeepers rarely seek this consent, so report to MM and Natural England immediately, with as much detail as possible.
• If dead wildlife has been used, this may not be in breach of environmental law but it is still important to document because it shows the true fate of wildlife in our national parks. Please record your findings, including photos/videos, location and description. Report to Moorland Monitors.
• Check for snares in the immediate area – stink bins are used in conjunction. More information about snares can be found here.