Report Wildlife Crime, Urges Partnership

Wildlife need better protection, says an anti-crime partnership on combating animal abuses.

More "could be done to tackle wildlife crime in Northern Ireland" if all wildlife crimes were reported to local police, according to PAW NI - the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime in Northern Ireland.

PAW NI and the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) are calling for the public to make sure all crimes are reported, and information about those committing crime against wildlife passed on, in order to make sure police here can work with the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit to make the best of the information.

The UK body - PAW - is an umbrella group for around 200 organisations with an interest in combating wildlife crime with the local group being very active.

Alan Roberts, who is an Investigative Support Officer from the National Wildlife Crime Unit, recently travelled to Northern Ireland to attend a meeting of the PAW NI group.

Although the Police Service NI forward details of incidents to the NWCU, Alan said he believes crimes are still going unreported, something which is preventing his organisation from drawing up a full picture of wildlife crime being committed here.

"Over the past few years there have been reports of different kinds of wildlife crime," said Mr Roberts.

"These run the gamut from badger baiting, poaching, destruction of birds' nests , destroying or disturbing bat roosts as well as birds of prey persecution" he said.

Mr Roberts welcomed the fact that it will be one of PAW NI's priorities to draw up a 'business plan' to tackle wildlife crime.

The appeal for crimes to be reported and for information to be passed on is being made following the launch of a new PAW NI leaflet, which sets out details for the public including an overview of the work of PAW NI, a list of partner organisations, practical advice on types of wildlife crime and steps everyone can take to help reduce crimes against our natural heritage.

One of the partners, the RSPB, has lent support to his appeal and added, "PAW NI will look at other ways to send out the message that local and intentional wildlife crime is not to be tolerated.

"Birds of prey are poisoned due to bait set out for foxes," said Claire Ferry, RSPB.

"What we need to be better at is giving the message that if people are unsure then they should seek advice from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency before they act," she said.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland's Wildlife Liaison Officer, Emma Meredith also stressed the importance of action against wildlife crime and the advantages a united response against wildlife criminals can bring.

"It is to the advantage of all to stop wildlife crime as, by doing so, we protecting our natural heritage - something which belongs to all of us.

"After all, the significance of this kind of crime cannot be under estimated. At the most serious level it can have a direct impact on the economic, environmental and cultural lives of communities and can also negatively affect the conservation status of some native species.

"A united approach, with all incidents being reported to police, will help bring about a situation where wildlife criminals have nowhere to hide," she said.

(BMcC/JM)