The county of Derbyshire is home to an astounding variety of fauna and flora, including protected and even endangered species. Not only does wildlife crime threaten these protected species but there is also a clear link between wildlife crime offenders and a wider, more ‘mainstream’ criminality.
In general, wildlife crime is any action which contravenes current legislation governing the protection of the UK’s wild animals and plants and includes:
- Hare Coursing
- Deer poaching
- Fish poaching
- Badger persecution – including baiting, snaring, shooting, and disturbance of setts
- Bat persecution
- Egg theft / collection
- Bird of Prey persecution – through poisoning, trapping, shooting, disturbance of nest and/or theft of chicks
- The trade in ivory, tortoises, rhino horn and other protected species covered by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) including caviar, Traditional Chinese Medicines, and orchids)
- Non registration of certain birds and animals that require licensing through DEFRA/Animal Health if kept in captivity or sold
The remit of Wildlife Crime does not include incidents involving domestic animals such as dogs (other than dogs being used to hunt mammals), cats, rabbits, budgies, etc. and doesn’t include wild animals that have been involved in road traffic accidents.
Report a Wildlife Crime
To report a wildlife crime click HERE to report via the online portal, alternatively call 101.
If you witness a suspected wildlife crime in action call 999 immediately and ask for the police.