Game birds 'could wipe out adders in most of Britain within 12 years'

Uncontrolled release of birds for shooting threatens UK's only venomous snake, expert warns

The adder, Britain's only venomous snake, could become extinct across much of Britain within 12 years because of the uncontrolled release of millions of game birds, according to an expert.

The warning comes at the start of the pheasant shooting season, during which 47 million non-native pheasants and 10 million partridges will be released into the countryside by estates and shoots across Britain.