Dr Gill Hartley

Senior Wildlife Biologist

Telephone Number
+44(0)131 244 8804

Research interests/Areas of expertise

Development of methods and approaches to resolving human-wildlife conflicts
Improving efficacy, and lessening the welfare and environmental impact, of current methods of wildlife management
Role of wildlife in the spread of certain diseases

Biography

Advisory role to Scottish Government and other stakeholders covering a wide range of issues in relation to agriculture, fisheries, game and disease control, where conflict arises with birds and mammals.
Lead small team of staff undertaking policy-related research projects in relation to impact and/or control of herbivores (e.g. rabbits, geese), predators (e.g. golden eagle, badger, corvids, piscivorous birds), species involved in disease transmission (e.g. foxes, badgers), and moles.
Joined SASA in 1993, undertaking R&D programme on rabbit control (development of bait markers, rabbit-specific baits, National Rabbit Survey, grazing behaviour).
Post-doctoral studies in relation to rabies contingency planning, cetaceans and endangered fruit bats.
PhD at University of Bristol examining social suppression of fox reproduction. BSc (Hons) Agricultural Science at University of Nottingham (applied & mammalian physiology; environmental physics)

Representational Duties

Chair of Urban Gull Task Force
Chair of Scottish Government Technical Assessment Group
Chair Scottish Government Goose Science Advisory Group
Member of Scottish Government National Goose Management Review Group
Chair of Scottish Government Urban Gull Task Force
Member of Rodenticides Stewardship Government Oversight Group
Member of the Task Force in Support of the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use
Member of the Scottish Government Feral Pig Co-ordination Group
Member of Defra Stoat Trap Testing Steering Group

Publications

Campbell S, Hartley G. 2018. Hedgehog interactions with the Goodnature A24 trap. Hedgehog interactions with the Goodnature A24 trap (1.23 MB)
Hartley FGL, Campbell ST, Jamieson S. 2016. Assessing the nature and use of corvid cage traps in Scotland: Part 2 of 4 – Field survey of trap use in Scotland 2014-15. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report.
Campbell ST, Hartley FG, Fang Z. 2016. Assessing the nature and use of corvid cage traps in Scotland: Part 3 of 4 – Trap operation and welfare. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report.
Campbell ST, Hartley FG, Reynolds JC. 2016. Assessing the nature and use of corvid cage traps in Scotland: Part 4 of 4 – Review and recommendations. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report.
Ruiz-Suárez N, Melero Y, Giela A, Henríquez-Hernández LA, Sharp EA, Boada LD, Taylor MJ, Camacho M, Lambin X, Luzardo OP et al.. 2016. Rate of exposure of a sentinel species, invasive American mink (Neovison vison) in Scotland, to anticoagulant rodenticides. Science of The Total Environment. 569–570:1013–1021.
Walker D, Fee SA, Hartley G, Learmount J, O’Hagan MJH, Meredith AL, Bronsvoort BM de C, Porphyre T, Sharp CP. 2016. Serological and molecular epidemiology of canine adenovirus type 1 in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the United Kingdom. Nature Scientific Reports. 6
Boag B, Hartley G, Campbell S, Neilson R, Hernandez A. 2016. Where have all the rabbits gone? Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2016. :67-72.
Hartley G, Sharp EA, Melton LM, Taylor MJ. 2013. Impact of changes to the requirements for the on-farm burial of rats poisoned with rodenticides in Scotland. Impact of changes to the requirements for the on-farm burial of rats poisoned with rodenticides in Scotland - (2).pdf (1.12 MB)
Hughes J, Sharp EA, Taylor MJ, Melton LM, Hartley G. 2013. Monitoring agricultural rodenticide use and secondary exposure of raptors in Scotland. Ecotoxicology. 22(6):974-984.
Campbell S, Hartley G. 2010. Wild boar distribution in Scotland. Wild boar distribution in Scotland - pdf format (565.52 KB)
Neilson R, Boag B, Hartley G. 2005. Temporal host-parasite relationships of the wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.) as revealed by stable isotope analyses.
Campbell S, Hartley G. 2004. Investigation into Golden Eagle Predation of Lambs on Benbecula in 2003. :42p.. Golden eage predation of lambs_benbecula 2003.pdf (187.43 KB)
Iason GR, Manso T, Hartley G. 2002. The functional response does not predict the local distribution of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on grass swards: experimental evidence. Functional Ecology. 16(3):394-402.
Hartley FG, Hamilton TL. 1997. Iophenoxic acid as a quantitative bait marker for rabbits. Gibier Faune Sauvage. 14(3):395-403.
Hartley FGL, Follett BK, Harris S, Hirst D, McNeilly AS. 1994. The endocrinology of gestation failure in foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Journal of Reproduction and Fertility. 100(2):341-346.