Moment ‘rogue’ RSPB warden is filmed ‘torturing’ sick bird by stepping on its tail before killing the animal by beating it with a rock

This is the shocking moment an RSPB guard stepped on the tail of a helpless seabird for up to ‘four minutes’ before finally killing it with a rock.

Ibrahim Alfarwi was criticized after the video clip of him ‘torturing’ sick Jager on Coquet Island off the coast of Northumberland came to light.

The video shows Mr Alfarwi chasing the ‘obviously sick’ bird and stepping on its tail before beckoning volunteers to look at it.

Eyewitnesses accused him of ‘torturing’ the helpless animal by standing on it for four minutes before wringing its neck and smashing its head against a rock, causing blood to splatter everywhere.

But Mr Alfarwi has said he acted as instructed by his manager and that the bird was ‘humanely dispatched’.

However, the RSPCA has branded the video as ‘disturbing’ and the RSPB has apologized for its actions.

However, Mr Alfarwi confirmed he still works for the RSPB.

The animal control manager was working on Coquet Island at the height of bird flu when the video, which resurfaced this week, was recorded in the summer of 2022.

Defra instructions state that sick or injured birds should not be approached and full PPE should be worn.

A volunteer, who made the recording but wishes to remain anonymous, said he had arrived on the island to help when he and another person were offered a tour by Mr Alfarwi.

“We were not asked to put on any specific PPE and we went out with just an aerosol can to spray the bodies,” he said.

‘We walked a full circle around the island and got very close to the nesting birds, some looked sick.

‘Then Ibrahim saw a large, apparently sick Hunter. He chased it and said he would have to kill it.

‘Once he caught it, he signaled us to come and take a closer look, held it in his hands as he looked up at us and let us take some pictures.

“Then he said, take a step back because ‘there might be some blood.’

‘He twisted his neck and hit his head hard on a rock in front of us – there was a lot of blood splatter.’

The witness said the same thing happened to a seagull and a baby puffin.

Describing the incident in which the Hunter was ‘tortured’, he said: ‘Ibrahim stood on the tail for about four minutes.

‘It was a long and arduous process he embarked on to trap and slowly kill the bird.

‘There can be no excuse for this disgraceful behavior as Mr Alfarwi was fully aware of the regulations at the time and was familiar with wearing full PPE, as he had done for the past month.

‘You can see that he was really enjoying himself as he looked towards me and beckoned me to come and look at the stricken bird; he showed off and enjoyed it.

“He stood on the bird for a considerable amount of time before sending it away.”

In response, Mr Alfarwi revealed that he still works for the RSPB and that the video was made without his consent.

He said: ‘The bird was unwell, suffering and had been on the island for several days.

‘I was instructed by my manager to send the bird to end its suffering.

‘The bird was disposed of quickly and humanely and there was no widespread blood spatter as claimed.

‘I wasn’t wearing the correct PPE because my manager didn’t provide it to me.

‘The RSPB was made aware of this video (shot in 2022) the following year (2023) and the content and circumstances surrounding it were fully investigated.

“The person with responsibility and responsibility for the island at the time of the video, my manager, no longer works for the RSPB.”

An RSPB spokesperson said: ‘We are aware of this video, which was recorded in the summer of 2022, and which breaches our own high standards and procedures.

‘We regret the way this bird was treated and have fully investigated the circumstances surrounding the incident.

‘While we cannot comment on the details of specific cases, the person in the video was instructed to capture the bird to prevent further suffering and the spread of bird flu.

‘Action has now been taken. The person responsible and liable for Coquet Island at that time is no longer employed by us.

‘The RSPB is committed to maintaining the highest standards of bird management in our nature reserves.’

An RSPCA spokesperson said: ‘This video is distressing and we welcome the RSPB’s swift handling of this incident, which occurred in 2022.

‘We understand the challenges associated with tackling bird flu, but animal welfare must always be a priority.’

MailOnline has approached the RSPB for further comment on why Mr Alfarwi is still employed by the organisation.