Wildlife Affected by Crime
Wildlife crime includes offences under the Wildlife Act,1996 against:
- Land mammals such as badgers, bats, birds, deer, fox, hare and rabbit, hedgehog, marine mammals, otter, pine marten, squirrels
- Marine mammals such as dolphin species, Porpoise species, Seal species, Whale species)
- Amphibians (Natterjack Toad)
- Wild birds
- Flora
Examples of Wildlife Crime
(see Veterinary Journal Ireland and wildlifecrime.ie for greater detail on offences and images)
- Disturbance of bats
- Illegal hunting (such as hare lurching)
- Badger digging
- Damage to Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
- Unlawful destruction of vegetation in hedgerows
- Unlawful burning of vegetation within the restricted period
- Poisoning/shooting birds of prey
- Bird nest interference, removing eggs or chicks
- Deer poaching
- Badger baiting
- Badger sett persecution
- Illegal hare coursing
- Illegal traps and snares
- Illegal wildlife trade
- Lamping
- Poaching
- Poisoning
- Hunting deer with dogs
- Bird trapping
Recent Wildlife Crime Prosecutions
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Significant successes by NPWS against wildlife crime in 2023
Press Release from Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Published on 29 December 2023 The National Parks and Wildlife Service is making its message to protect nature clearly heard through its series of successful prosecutions in the courts this year. Forty-three prosecution cases were initiated by NPWS in 2023 for alleged breaches of wildlife legislation according… Read more
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2,114 seizures of endangered animals and timber in major international law enforcement operation
Wildlife and forestry crime are emerging as key elements of transnational organized crime and a serious threat to global security Endangered animals including elephants, rhinos and pangolins, as well as protected timber, particularly tropical hardwoods, have been seized in a joint INTERPOL – World Customs Organization (WCO) operation to stop wildlife and timber trafficking. From… Read more
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2 Wildlife Crime Prosecutions Relating to Birds
Minister Malcom Noonan congratulates NPWS on two successful wildlife crime prosecutions relating to birds Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, TD, today (16 October, 2020) congratulated the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) who secured two recent prosecutions for breaches of the wildlife legislation. At Athlone District Court on 7 October 2020 four… Read more
Report a Crime or Concern
One of the most immediate things you can do, is to report a concern or crime to the authority that has the power to investigate.
