Section heading

The RSPB’s investigations newsletterSummer 2020, No 90

Legal Eagle

Otter killer jailedIn this issue: Raptor crimewave in lockdown • Badger guide • WCE conference

2 Legal Eagle 90

Welcome to the summer 2020 issue of Legal Eagle.

When I began putting this issue together back in February, the world was quite a different place. In the subsequent months, due to COVID-19, life as we know it has turned upside down, to varying degrees depending on our own personal and professional situations. So first and foremost, I hope you and those close to you are safe and well.

The current government restrictions have no doubt had an effect on your work. From my point of view, as part of the RSPB’s Investigations Unit, we have received a surge in reports of crimes against birds of prey since lockdown began. It is clear that criminals

RS

PB

by Jenny Shelton, Legal Eagle Editor

Contents

Foreword

ProsecutionsMan jailed for killing otter .................................................................................................................................3Sparrowhawk killer fined ..................................................................................................................................3Fishy scam uncovered .......................................................................................................................................4Quick action achieves conviction ..................................................................................................................4Countryside ban for repeat rural offender ..............................................................................................5Antiques dealer caught exporting ivory to China .................................................................................6Lanarkshire badger baiter jailed ..................................................................................................................6Badger baiter to pay over £1,500 ................................................................................................................ 7Illegal owl breeder uncovered ........................................................................................................................ 7

NewsThe persecution of badgers: a guide for investigators in England and Wales ......................8Badgers mutilated ..............................................................................................................................................9Police home in on hare coursing ...................................................................................................................9Raptor crime surge in lockdown .................................................................................................................10Red kites killed ......................................................................................................................................................11Buzzard poisoned in Peak District ...............................................................................................................11Hotspots highlighted ........................................................................................................................................12 A reflection on the Werrity Review ............................................................................................................13Wildlife Crime Enforcers’ Conference 2019 ..........................................................................................14National Wildlife Crime Officers’ Course ................................................................................................15Accolade for PC Dinsdale, New WCO for Avon and Somerset ........................................................16Kestrels killed........................................................................................................................................................16Martin sails into the sunset ........................................................................................................................... 17Pete Charleston retires from BCT .............................................................................................................. 17

InternationalEndangered eagles shot ................................................................................................................................182019 “second worst year” for illegal hunting .........................................................................................1850 protected birds shot ..................................................................................................................................19 Bird smuggler arrested in Peru ...................................................................................................................19Volunteer attacked in Cyprus .......................................................................................................................19Finch trappers caught red-handed, Safe haven in trapping blackspot...................................19

Hello, Goodbye! ..................................................................................................................................................20

have used the wider closure of the countryside as an opportunity to ramp up their efforts to kill birds of prey, without fear of being seen.

Also in this issue, read about successful badger and hare-coursing convictions, staff news and overseas enforcement and conservation work.

A huge thank you to everyone who is continuing to tackle wildlife crime despite today’s unprecedented challenges.

Stay safe, Jenny

3

Prosecutions

Legal Eagle 90

Man jailed for killing otter Court outcome:

On 10 February 2020, at Bournemouth Crown Court, Stuart Jones, 54 of Chilthorne Domer pleaded guilty to deliberately killing a wild animal of a European Protected Species contrary to Regulation 43 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. He also pleaded guilty to an offence of using a trap for the purpose of killing, taking or restraining a wild animal listed on Schedule 6, contrary to Section 11 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. He was sentenced to two months in prison.

The owner of a caravan park and fishery centre in Somerset has been jailed for two months for shooting an otter. Between Monday 8 July and Tuesday 9 July 2019, a man fishing at the Caravan Park and Fishery in Cerne Abbas was seen catching an otter in his landing net. The witness alerted Jones, who approached the net with a rifle and shot the otter. He discarded the body in the woods. Members of the public had also seen a cage trap attached to one of the lake’s feed pipes.

The otter in the net.

Do

rset Po

lice

The UK Wild Otter Trust received reports of the shooting incident and notified Dorset Police. Officers from the Dorset Police Rural Crime Team attended the site and seized the trap, which was still attached to the pipe. They also found the body of the otter in the woods. A veterinary post mortem revealed that the otter had injuries consistent with a high velocity rifle.

When interviewed Jones admitted shooting the animal but said he could not be sure whether it was an otter or a mink. A witness’ photograph showing the animal in the net confirmed that it was an otter. The UK Wild Otter Trust also assessed the trap and confirmed it was set for an otter, not a mink. Jones had also been heard talking about the presence of otters around the site, and stated in interview that he had an issue with an otter, or similar animal, so had set the cage trap to catch it.Dave Webb, founder and chair of the UK Wild Otter Trust, said: “Illegal persecution of any protected species will not be tolerated and heavy penalties will be handed out. We hope that this sentence sends out a powerful message.”

Court outcome: On 25 February 2020 Yovanis Cruz, 48, of Copsey Grove, Portsmouth pleaded guilty at Portsmouth Magistrates’ court to intentionally killing a sparrowhawk, contrary to Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. He was fined £653, plus £85 costs and a £63 victim surcharge.

A man who keeps racing pigeons has been fined for killing a sparrowhawk in his neighbour’s garden using a catapult after being caught on CCTV.

On 2 December 2019 a CCTV recording showed Cruz using a catapult to fire projectiles at a sparrowhawk, after it had attacked one of his pigeons. He struck the sparrowhawk and killed it. The neighbour contacted Hampshire Constabulary and RSPB Investigations and the sparrowhawk was sent for a post mortem

Sparrowhawk killer fined

Police Constable Claire Dinsdale, Wildlife Crime Officer for Dorset Police, said: “Otters have the highest level of protection under UK and European legislation. I would urge anyone with a fishery business who has concerns regarding otters to contact the Angling Trust, which has predation advisors that can visit your sites.“We are grateful for the evidence given by all the witnesses... results such as this would not be possible without members of our communities reporting information. We would encourage anyone with information on any wildlife crime issue to contact their local police force or Crimestoppers.”

examination, which confirmed that a ball bearing in the skull of the bird was the cause of death.

When interviewed by WCO PC Lynn Owen, Cruz admitted to killing the sparrowhawk, but claimed he was only trying to scare it off. Cruz was reported for summons. RSPB Investigations provided expert evidence in relation to raptor persecution and the problems with the killing of birds of prey, primarily sparrowhawks and peregrines, by some people within the pigeon keeping community. This information was considered by District Judge Gary Lucie prior to sentencing. He said: “It was clearly an intentional offence. You did not act with any mercy especially as your pigeon escaped unhurt”. He added, “You could have scared off the sparrowhawk... instead you carefully approached it and hit it with a single shot. It was a misguided view you could deal with it after it attacked one of your pigeons.”

4

Prosecutions

Legal Eagle 90

Fishy scam uncovered

Court outcomeOn 7 February 2020, Gilbert Khoo, 67, from Parbury Rise, Chessington, was found guilty at Southwark Crown Court of three counts of evasion of a prohibition on the export of goods, contrary to Section 170 of the Customs Excise Management Act 1979, and three counts of failure to notify of the movement of animals. He was sentenced on 6 March to two years in jail, suspended for two years.

A seafood salesman has been given a suspended custodial sentence after smuggling over £53 million worth of critically endangered live eels out of the UK over a two-year period.

In February 2017, in the first seizure of its kind in the UK, specialist Border Force officers found 200kg of European glass eels (Anguilla anguilla) concealed

Critically endangered European glass eels were hidden under fish in an audacious scheme to smuggle them to East Asia.

underneath chilled fish at Heathrow Airport. The fish were bound for Hong Kong.

It is thought that the live consignment, worth around £5.7million on the black market in East Asia, had been transported from Spain to the UK. Khoo was

Court outcome On 5 February 2020, Samuel

Haylett, 30, of Barnes Road, Frimley, Camberley, was ordered to pay a £440 fine, £85 costs and a £44 victim surcharge at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court after admitting trespass in pursuit of game, contrary to Section 30 of the Game Act 1831.

Quick action achieves convictionIn a first for the county, an Essex man has received a criminal behaviour order for hare coursing offences. Samuel Haylett was spotted by an off-duty police officer on 13 October 2019 off Blind Lane in West Hanningfield. His dogs were in pursuit of a hare. He was arrested and his vehicle, phone and catapult seized.

Chief Inspector Terry Balding, head of the Rural Engagement Team at Essex Police, said: “The quick-actions by members of the community and an off-duty officer, who has an extensive knowledge of wildlife and countryside pursuits, has resulted in a man receiving a conviction for hare coursing.

“The order, which is the first we have ever secured for hare coursing, will restrict his activities, his movements and his associates

and will help protect rural communities countrywide.

“Hare coursing isn’t just an illegal and cruel activity, it causes disruption and damage to private land and crops, it can have a financial impact on businesses and it endangers the safety of people living and working in the area.”

The criminal behaviour order prohibits Haylett from being in possession of a catapult, shot or an air weapon in a public place, being in possession, control and company of any dog within Essex unless travelling to a pre-arranged emergency vet’s appointment, and from having a dog off a lead unless on private land or with the land owner’s consent and bans him from associating with three men in a public place.

Bro

wn

Har

e b

y B

en A

nd

rew

(rs

pb

-im

ages

.co

m)

arrested and the eels were later returned to the wild.When interviewed by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers, Khoo told officers that he was a middleman for buying and selling seafood. However, while searching his home, NCA officers found paperwork showing that between February 2015 and February 2017 Khoo was smuggling the rare species under his company Icelandic Commodities Exports Ltd.

Investigators discovered that Khoo was importing the elvers, holding them at a farm in Gloucestershire, then repackaging them as “chilled fish” and sending them to East Asia.

Glass eels are considered a delicacy and are highly sought-after in East Asia, yet are threatened with extinction. In court the judge said Khoo’s operation would have had “a significant environmental impact” on the species.

Bo

rder Fo

rce

The packaged “chilled fish”

5

Prosecutions

Legal Eagle 90

Countryside ban for repeat rural offender

Court outcome: On 19 November 2019 Scott Matthew Cochrane, 30, of Yarrow Close in Poole appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court for an application by Dorset Police and the Crown Prosecution Service to vary an existing criminal behaviour order. This followed an earlier guilty plea on 30 October 2019 to being in possession of a wild animal (which he was prohibited from doing by a criminal behaviour order) and for hunting a wild mammal with a dog, contrary to Section 1 of the Hunting Act 2004.

Cochrane (right) was sentenced to eight weeks’ in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £122 and £85 costs.

Officers from Dorset Police were called to a rural location in Blandford just before midnight on Saturday 5 October 2019 in relation to suspected poaching. They located a van and saw two men – one of whom was the defendant – with two lurcher-type dogs and a high-powered lamp. They were also carrying dead rabbits. A search of their vehicle revealed a catapult and steel ball bearings, as well as further dead rabbits.

Behavior order extendedCochrane had been given a five-year criminal behaviour order in 2015 that prohibited him from being in possession of a wild animal, wild bird, or part of a wild animal or bird, living or dead in Dorset. This was in addition to other prohibitions relating to the county. With this order due to expire in August 2020, Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team

prepared an application to vary the order to prevent further offending.

At the hearing in November, magistrates agreed to vary the order to be in place for a further three years. He was also given an eight-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, and banned from a number of known rural crime hotspots in Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire. The other man was given a caution.

The order states that Cochrane must not:

• Act or incite others to behave in an anti-social manner

• Use or incite others to use threatening, intimidating, insulting or abusive words or behaviour in any public place

• Be in possession of a wild animal, wild bird or part of a wild animal or bird living or dead

• Be in possession of a catapult or shot, such as ball bearings, or to be in a vehicle with a catapult or such shot in a place to which the public have access or private land as a trespasser

• Allow a dog under his control off a lead, except on private land

Strict limits on behaviour have been imposed on one individual to protect wild animals from persecution.

Do

rset

Po

lice with the land owner’s written

permission• Be in a vehicle with a dog

traditionally used for the purpose of hare and deer coursing, such as a lurcher, greyhound, saluki, or a cross breed of these varieties, unless travelling to an emergency vets appointment

• Own dogs traditionally used for the purposes of hare and deer coursing (as detailed above).

Police Constable Claire Dinsdale, Rural Crime Co-ordinator for Dorset Police, said: “Coursing with dogs and poaching is a national priority for both rural and wildlife crime and there are many repeat offenders across the UK.

“This issue is not about ‘one for the pot’ but part of a network of persistent criminals who will threaten and intimidate our rural communities if challenged and cause thousands of pounds worth of damage to crops, gates and other property. They train their dogs on rabbits, hares and even deer, with no regard for the welfare of wildlife or their dogs, and they are willing to travel vast distances.

“Dorset Police is part of the national strategy between 22 police forces, Operation Galileo, where civil and criminal powers will be used to prevent such offending. I hope this sends a clear message that coursing and other such crimes are not tolerated.

“This now varied order is a first of its kind for rural crime, in that it bans the defendant from large areas of rural land across three counties and it restricts his ownership of certain dog breeds.”

6

Prosecutions

Legal Eagle 90

Court outcome: Peter Maw, 65, of Duke Street, Cheltenham was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court on 16 January 2020, following an earlier guilty plea to five counts of fraudulently evading any duty, prohibition, restriction or provision, on ivory items contrary to Section 170 of the Customs and Management Act 1979. He was given a three-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months and ordered to pay £500 in court costs, plus a victim surcharge.

A three-year investigation concluded in January 2020, resulting in a jail sentence for an experienced antiques dealer who was illegally selling ivory items.

In 2017, customs officers at Heathrow Airport intercepted a package which was declared as a gift worth £15, when in fact it contained a carved ivory figure that had been sold for £147 and was being exported to China. Maw did not have the necessary CITES permits to export or re-export outside the UK, so the package was seized.

The National Wildlife Crime Unit informed Gloucestershire Constabulary who raided Maw’s

Antiques dealer caught exporting ivory to China

home in March 2018. Further items were seized and an expert later identified them as elephant and walrus ivory. It was discovered that Maw had been operating a sophisticated scheme for three months, and stood to make over £1,000.

At Gloucester Crown Court, Prosecutor Ellen McAnaw said: “Maw knew full well that these items were made from ivory and that China is a country that prohibits the importation of ivory. There is evidence that the wording on his eBay posts has been carefully composed so as not to attract attention from the authorities.”

Maw was given a suspended sentence on account of his good character.

PC Diana Butler led the investigation on behalf of Gloucestershire Constabulary. She said: “I am very grateful for the support I have had from colleagues, the NWCU and CPS throughout this investigation which has helped us bring Maw to justice. It has been a long and involved investigation but I am delighted with the excellent outcome.”

Court outcome: On 6 February 2020, at Hamilton

Sheriff Court, Conran Connor, 21, of Wishaw, pleaded guilty to Section 23 (1)(a) of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, namely keeping and training three dogs for the purpose of an animal fight. He was jailed for 21 weeks and banned from owning or controlling an animal for 15 years.

An investigation was launched after the SSPCA discovered an

Lanarkshire badger baiter jailedabandoned patterdale terrier, suffering horrific injuries consistent with it being used for badger baiting. Police searched Connor’s home and found bloody knives and magazines relating to dogs fighting with wild animals. Photographs on his phone showed Connor at the entrance to a badger sett, and in messages to friends he referred to his dogs being used to fight badgers.

Knives from his home were sent to Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) and they tested positive for badger blood and DNA.

Connor confessed to keeping three dogs for animal fighting between August 2016–May 2017.

The pattendale terrier had to be euthanised due to the severity of its injuries. The two other dogs were put up for rehoming.

Connor with his dogs, showing injuries consistent with fighting a badger.

SS

PC

A

7

Prosecutions

Legal Eagle 90

The MPS Wildlife Crime Unit (WCU) completed follow-up enquiries following the report of a deceased owlet. This revealed that barn owl chicks were being advertised on the Preloved website at a cost of £100 a bird.

They were able to procure an original Article 10 (A10)certificate for the deceased barn owl, and discovered that the breeder had applied for 50 such certificates in the past four years. The Police, APHA and wildlife crime Inspector, suspected that false declarations had been made to APHA in order to obtain some of the required certification.

On 10 September 2019, a search was conducted at the breeder’s address by the WCU and National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) and an APHA wildlife Inspector. They found one adult male barn owl at the address which had no signs of neglect. There was also a quantity of paperwork relating to APHA A10s certification, British Bird Council, bird registration documents and bird rings, which were seized by the WCU.

This breeder liaised with the police in finding a suitable new home for his owl. He attended a London police station for interview in January 2020 and was shown paperwork that evidenced that on at least five previous occasions he had sold owlets to new owners before obtaining the required A10 certificates from APHA. Due to his co-operation and admissions he was given a community resolution and he now no longer breeds birds.

Illegal owl trader uncovered

Badger baiter to pay over £1,500 Court outcome:

On 9 January 2020, at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court, Matthew Howell Jones, 38, of Jones Street Tonypandy pleaded guilty to one Protection of Badgers Act 1992 offence and one Animal Welfare Act 2006 offence. He was given a five-month prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, and disqualified from keeping all animals for four years. He was fined £405, told to pay £1,000 in costs and given a £115 victim surcharge.

A man who used his dogs to interfere with a badger sett has been given a suspended jail sentence and told to pay over £1,500.

RSPCA Cymru was contacted by the police to assist with their enquiries after fears a man had used dogs to interfere with a badger sett. This was on January 20 2019, at a site near Whitland on the Pembrokeshire/Carmarthenshire border.

Police found blood-stained overalls in Jones’ van, though he denied owning the clothes. Testing of the blood confirmed it had come from a badger. RSPCA officers later found

Police were called to a London residence in May 2018 after it was reported that a barn owl chick had been thrown down a flight of stairs and killed. An individual was arrested and given a community order.

The investigation was led by Detective Constable Tara Wilson of the MPS WCU. She said: “Diligent intelligence work by our researcher brought the initial matter to our unit’s attention and concerns with the owl breeder. Evidence proved that documentation to regulate the control of captive-bred species had not been adhered to by the breeder on occasions. These actions can jeopardise animals being born in captivity and compromise new legitimate owners.”

evidence of one large, freshly dug and back-filled hole at an active badger sett.

Jones admitted failing to provide veterinary care for his dog, a black terrier, which had injuries consistent with fighting with a badger or other wild animal, according to vets.

He was deprived by the court of all possessions related to the interference with a badger sett – including locating devices and netting – and banned from keeping animals for four years. The dog has been put up for rehoming.

Barn

ow

l chick (M

et Po

lice)

8

News

Legal Eagle 90

The persecution of badgers: a guide for investigators in England and WalesRelevant in England and Wales. By Craig Fellowes, Wildlife Crime Officer and Trainer, Badger Trust

Badgers have a long history of cruelty and persecution in the UK spanning hundreds of years. Today badgers are still persecuted despite having one of the highest levels of legal protection.

The Badger Trust and Naturewatch Foundation have produced a publication, The Persecution of Badgers: A Guide for Investigators in England and Wales. This guide has been developed to assist those involved in the prosecution process and give easily accessible reference material. It aims to enhance the police Badger Crime Awareness course delivered to all police forces in England and Wales, and copies of the guide will be distributed on these courses and the National Wildlife Crime Course.

The guide was launched at the 31st UK Wildlife Crime Enforcers Conference in November 2019 by Badger Trust Wildlife Crime Officer,

Craig Fellowes, and Naturewatch Foundation Animal Crime Manager, Andrew Swinburne. The Badger Trust is the primary agency solely looking at badger persecution and is continuously exploring ways to tackle the issues. The role as the wildlife crime officer and trainer is working and has seen an impact in a variety of key areas.

Training continues to be delivered to police forces (36 forces trained so far) and there are discussions to deliver more in 2020, with second courses being delivered to those forces that have requested them.

These courses continue to be supported by the Badger Trust and are free to police forces. A separate course is being offered to badger groups, emphasising the importance of reporting incidents to the police, evidence rules, and the importance of proving the badger sett is in “current use”.

Sett interference Thousands of badgers become the victims of wildlife crimes each year. The most prevalent crimes involving badgers include sett interference, badger baiting, snaring or in relation to development. The most recent incident data shows 1,449 reported incidents over a 36-month period, 54.1% being recorded as “sett blocking”, with 27.3% of this recorded as suspected hunt-related, and 24.6% being recorded as blocked setts where there is no direct evidence to connect to a particular hunt. The majority of sett blocking takes place in autumn and winter, coinciding with the fox hunting season.

Badger Trust CEO, Dominic Dyer, said: “Despite being a legally protected species, the badger is probably the most persecuted wild animal in Britain today. Across

Bad

ger

by

Co

ates

y (s

hu

tter

sto

ck.c

om

)

9

News

Legal Eagle 90

Police home in on hare coursingThe number of people convicted of hare coursing offences has tripled in Cambridgeshire, according to Cambridgeshire Constabulary.

The dog-walker who made the horrific discoveries took photos and reported the incidents to the police on 1 February 2020, and they have appealed for information.

In a separate incident, a man was released on bail in the Fermanagh area of Northern Ireland after being arrested

In 2019, the rural crime team dealt with 877 reported incidents of hare coursing in the county as part of a crackdown. There were 63 prosecutions that year, compared to 20 in 2018.

They also issued 137 dispersal orders (which give the police the power to ask a group of people to leave the area) in 2019 compared to 70 in 2018.

Hare coursing is illegal under the Hunting Act 2004 and continues to be one of the biggest rural crime issues in Cambridgeshire. Those caught could face a criminal behaviour order, fine, seizure of vehicles and a driving ban.

Badgers mutilatedTwo badgers and a fox were found mutilated in the Kirton Marsh area of Lincolnshire in the space of three days. NI badger incident reported too.

In February 2020 Kent Police reported a rise in incidents, and prior to lockdown they had been deploying a drone to try and catch coursers in the act.

In Essex, on 5 February 2020, Samuel Haylett of Frimley, Camberley became the first in the county to receive a Criminal Behaviour Order for the offence, see page 4.

the UK and Ireland, badgers face multiple threats from badger baiting with dogs, to persecution on shooting estates and the illegal destruction of their setts by fox hunts and building developers. “To counter these threats, it’s hugely important that we provide expert advice and training on badger persecution and the law to police officers, the Crown Prosecution Service and expert witnesses from badger protection groups.We believe this manual, combined with the wildlife crime enforcement training courses we run for Police Constabularies across England and Wales, will play a vital role in the fight against badger persecution and will result in more wildlife criminals being brought before the courts.”

Objectives:• The introduction of information

sharing agreements for all police forces and key NGOs covering a number of the wildlife priorities including badgers. This is being explored and currently work is ongoing with NPCC.

• Encourage police forces to submit incident returns to the NWCU.

• Further work to establish crimes against badgers as recordable offences.

• Improve the quality of evidence and dealing with the issues of “current use” with both enforcement and partner agencies, and experts. This will include the introduction of further

training for police wildlife crime officers to expand their knowledge and develop “crime scene recorders”.

• Expand the training programme to all involved, in particular badger groups across the country.

• Encourage groups and individuals to report all suspected criminal activity to the police, in addition to reporting all incidents via the Badger Trust website, and promoting alternatives such as crimestoppers.

If anyone would like any further information, advise on any issue or enquire about training please contact craig@badgertrust.org.uk

in January 2020. 11 dogs were seized, and a dug-out badger sett was found.

Badgers and their setts are protected under the Protection of Badgers act 1992.

Hare b

y An

a Gram

by (sh

uttersto

ck.com

)

10

News

Legal Eagle 90

Raptor crime surge in lockdownThe RSPB has received a surge in reports of birds of prey being illegally killed since lockdown began. The majority of incidents have been on or close to sporting estates managed for game bird shooting. The public are being asked to stay vigilant and report crimes against birds of prey

Police have been called out to investigate multiple cases involving the shooting, trapping and suspected poisoning of birds of prey following reports by the public.

The RSPB is currently aware of many confirmed incidents involving the targeting of birds of prey including hen harriers, peregrines, buzzards, red kites, a goshawk and a short-eared owl in the last six weeks. Amongst the cases being dealt with by the police are a number of significant ongoing investigations on land managed for grouse shooting.

On 29 March a buzzard was found shot at Shipton, near York. Its wing was fractured in two places and an x-ray revealed several pieces of shot within the bird’s body. Thanks to the care of a local wildlife expert the buzzard recovered and was released.

Over the Easter Weekend, a red kite was found shot dead near Leeds. It had 12 shotgun pellets lodged in its body.

The following weekend, wildlife presenter Iolo Williams recovered a dead red kite in Powys, which had been shot. North Yorkshire Police undertook two major raids on grouse shooting estates relating to alleged raptor persecution.

A shot buzzard.

And in Scotland, the police are following up several raptor persecution cases and multiple reports of illegal trap use on grouse moors.

All birds of prey are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. To intentionally kill or injure one is a criminal offence and could result in an unlimited fine or up to six months in jail.

Mark Thomas, RSPB Head of Investigations UK, said:

“Since lockdown began, the RSPB has been overrun with reports of birds of prey being targeted. It is clear that criminals on some sporting estates both in the uplands and lowlands, have used the wider closure of the countryside as an opportunity to ramp up their efforts to kill birds of prey.

“Spring is the time when birds of prey are most visible and therefore vulnerable, as they put on courtship displays, build nests and find food ready to breed. It is clear the criminal actions are targeted and malicious in nature, taking out birds before they have the opportunity to breed, often in areas where they have previously faced persecution.

“We welcome the fact that the public is remaining vigilant and encourage any suspicious incidents to be reported. But please observe government guidelines at all times.”

Superintendent Nick Lyall, head of the Raptor Persecution Priority Delivery Group, said: “Over recent weeks, I have been sickened by the number of raptor persecution cases that have come to my attention as chair of the Raptor Persecution Delivery Group. I know that there are officers currently investigating a number of crimes against wild birds of prey which have occurred since lockdown began.

“It is clear that lockdown has been seen as a green light by those involved in raptor persecution offences to continue committing crimes, presumably in the belief that there are fewer people around to catch them doing so.

“I remain grateful to everyone involved in investigating these crimes, and thankfully in the vast majority of the cases I am aware of, it looks like some really good lines of enquiry are taking place which should lead to arrests and interviews.”

11

News

Legal Eagle 90

Red kites killedWhile red kites hit the headlines recently (The Telegraph asking “are red kites making a comeback in London?” due to an apparent upsurge in sightings during lockdown), red kites have also continued to be illegally targeted.

Most recently, Dyfed-Powys Police and the RSPB appealed for information regarding the shooting of one red kite and the suspected shooting of two more. One bird was found in Tregynon, near Newtown, Powys on 19 April 2020. An x-ray revealed three pieces of shot in its body, confirming death by shooting. Two more were found in the same area, but disappeared before they could be recovered. Police officers conducted a patrol of the area, but uncovered no leads.

PC Charlie Jones, of the Dyfed-Powys Rural Crime Team, said: “It is illegal to intentionally harm or kill a red kite, or any other bird of prey. Wales is home to a significant population of breeding red kites and therefore we take any offences

Buzzard poisoned in Peak DistrictIn April 2019 a member of the public found a dead buzzard in woodland near Tintwhistle, north of Valehouse reservoir in the Peak District National Park.Lying close to the freshly dead buzzard were also the remains of a red-legged partridge. Post-mortem and toxicology tests undertaken by Natural England showed that the buzzard and partridge both contained the pesticide Alphachloralose – one of the most commonly abused pesticides for targeting birds of prey.

Natural England concluded that “abuse of chloralose, using a bird bait, has occurred at this location and at least one buzzard has been poisoned”.

The northern Dark Peak has been the scene of many crimes involving the poisoning, trapping and shooting of birds of prey, making it one of the UK’s worst blackspots, according to the RSPB’s recent Birdcrime report (see page 10).

against them very seriously, and wish to hear from anyone who has information which may help with our investigation.”

A red kite was also found shot dead near Leeds in April this year. It contained 12 pieces of shot. West Yorkshire Police issued an appeal for information.

Another red kite was found dead in a field in Wigmore, Herefordshire on New Year’s Eve 2019 by a member of the public. The RSPB and West Mercia Police were notified. When the police collected the bird, they noticed a large hole in the bird’s body. The RSPB arranged for a post-mortem of the bird, and the results concluded that it had been shot, and that “shooting with a single projectile is by far the most likely cause” of death. Witnesses also confirmed they had heard shooting in the area the day before.

Around 50 miles away, on 20 January 2020, eyewitnesses saw a buzzard being shot by a person

Red kites continue to be illegally targeted.

in a light-coloured van near Shelsley Beauchamp, Worcestershire. The bird was brought to Vale Wildlife Centre but due to an irreparably broken wing the bird had to be put to sleep. PC Sarah Smith, Rural Crime Officer for West Mercia Police, said: “West Mercia Police take wildlife crime very seriously, and a thorough investigation will be conducted to bring the offenders to justice.”

Su

pp

lied b

y RS

PB

Peak D

istrict Rap

tor G

rou

p

Yet another illegally killed bird of prey in the National Park

Red kite found shot in Wales.

Red kite x-ray.

12

News

Legal Eagle 90

In February 2020 the RSPB’s Investigations team released further data into their online Map Hub, revealing more clearly than ever where the raptor persecution blackspots occur in the UK.

The Raptor Persecution Map Hub, which was launched in 2018, now has a full 12 years’ worth of confirmed raptor persecution incidents available to interrogate. This dates back to 2007, providing a bigger and better picture of known raptor persecution incidents in the UK. It’s hoped that this will prove a valuable resource for enforcement partners and the wider public.

In England, persecution blackspots can be seen in upland areas of North Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Cumbria. For Scotland, at a glance, the signs appear encouraging: however there is mounting evidence that, rather than decreasing, crimes are simply becoming more covert following the enactment of vicarious liability legislation and the increased use of satellite tags to monitor raptors. Sadly raptor population surveys repeatedly show no evidence of an overall decline in persecution levels in Scotland, or indeed the rest of the UK.

Earlier this year (2020), Natural England concluded that a buzzard found dead north of the Valehouse reservoir in the Peak District National Park had been poisoned. This is an area with a history of raptor persecution. The buzzard was found next to the remains of a red-legged partridge, both of which tested positive for alphachloralose: one of the most commonly-used pesticides for targeting birds of prey (see page 11).

Hotspots highlighted12 years of data brings persecution blackspots sharply into focus.

The Raptor Persecution Map Hub showing persecution hotspots, see rspb.org.uk/raptormap

Between 2007 and 2018:• There were a total of 1,242 confirmed incidents of

persecution, across all four countries (England 686, Scotland 394, Wales 79, Northern Ireland 82 plus 1 “UK” incident that could not be assigned to a specific country.)

• 22 species of bird of prey were targeted. Species of highest conservation concern include the hen harrier, goshawk, white-tailed eagle and golden eagle.

• 2018 was the worst year in England since 2007 (both had the joint highest number of incidents in over 40 years of recording this data), with 67 confirmed incidents.

• For the UK as a whole, 2013 and 2007 are the worst year’s on record, with 128 confirmed raptor persecution incidents each. But note this is only the number detected, and has very little bearing on the actual number of birds of prey targeted in the year as detection is so low.

• A high concentration of incidents was found in North Yorkshire, Highland in Scotland, Scottish Borders, Angus, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeenshire, South Lanarkshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, County Down (Northern Ireland) and Powys (Wales).

RS

PB

News

In December 2019, we welcomed the publication of the long awaited Werritty Review that examined how grouse moors can be managed sustainably and within the law. We had previously submitted evidence to the Review proposing a comprehensive strengthening of regulation for grouse moors, especially those involved with super-intensive “driven” shooting, requiring very large numbers of grouse. We recommended a bespoke licensing system. It is worth remembering that the Werritty Review was published on the back of a damning report, published in 2017, on the fate of satellite-tagged golden eagles. A third of 140 marked eagles had gone missing in illegal or otherwise suspicious circumstances in 12 years.

We note that the primary recommendation of the Werritty Review is indeed the licensing of grouse moors. However, it also suggests a five-year delay to licensing to allow grouse moor managers to get their house in order. In our response to the Review’s publication, we proposed that officials should start preparing draft licensing legislation immediately. Many decades of discussions and voluntary approaches have very clearly not worked.

Delivering the proposed assessment of grouse moor progress (including improvement of conservation status of key raptor species on grouse moors) after the suggested five years, would be very complicated, expensive to measure to a high scientific standard and likely to generate another round of obfuscation, prevarication and denial from supporters of the status quo. We think that it would also be potentially unfair in practice since a wide range of environmental and other factors would be involved, some out of the control of land managers, especially given that raptors’ territories do not respect estate boundaries. Interestingly, some grouse moor managers that I have discussed this matter with have come to a similar conclusion! It would also mean an actual delay of perhaps up to ten years, rather than five, to bring in any required changes.

Writing in March 2020, we now await the Scottish Government’s formal response to The Werritty Review. We welcome initial statements by Scotland’s First Minister and by the Cabinet Secretary for the Environment that they are prepared to look at options and to consider bringing in a licensing system for grouse moors earlier than suggested by the Werritty Review. We highlight also that the imperative for

A reflection on the Werrity Review

reform of grouse moors has grown even stronger with the announcement by Scotland’s First Minister of the climate emergency.

“Nature-based solutions” in our uplands can play a significant role in tackling climate change, including on the estimated 15–20% of Scotland’s land area currently managed as grouse moors. We will simply not deliver the much needed native woodland expansion, ensure that valuable peatland carbon stores are protected from harmful burning, or protect the public investment in restoring peatlands unless a robust framework is put in place to help deliver these urgent public outcomes.

We believe that driven grouse shooting in Scotland needs to adapt to modern-day expectations and help to address public land use priorities. In our view, licensing is a proportionate approach to addressing both the systematic illegal killing of birds of prey and associated land use concerns. Licensing could also be delivered through several existing mechanisms, legally available to Government, to ensure that the administrative costs are not high either to the public or to those landowners being licensed. However, we are very clear that any effective system of licensing must include measures to withdraw the right to shoot grouse when wildlife protection or other laws are broken. We see this as the only meaningful deterrent to drive change in current poor land management practices on driven grouse moors. By definition, a licensing system would be designed to make life difficult only for

those intent on continued law-breaking and environmental mismanagement. It

would not stop the legitimate, sustainable shooting of

grouse.

By Duncan Orr-Ewing, RSPB Scotland’s Head of Species and Land Management.

A third of 131 marked golden eagles went missing in suspicious circumstances during a 12-year period.

13Legal Eagle 90

Mike Lan

e (rspb

-imag

es.com

)

14

News

Legal Eagle 90

Wildlife Crime Enforcers’ Conference 2019The 31st Wildlife Crime Enforcers’ Conference was the first to be organised by the NWCU, with generous financial support from five non-government organisations.

The 2019 event was attended by over 150 delegates between the 31 November and 2 December at the Kents Hill Park Conference Centre, Milton Keynes. First started in 1989 by the RSPB, the event was handed over to the PAW Conference & Training Group in 1997. The RSPB would like to express its thanks to the work of that group, and in particular Craig Fellowes, who has organised the event for the last five years.

NPCC Wildlife Crime lead Chief Constable Chris Martland, at his first conference, formally opened the event and was followed by updates from UK countries and the Priority Delivery Groups (PDGs). A series of WWF sponsored awards were then presented for tackling wildlife crime.

The prestigious Wildlife Law Enforcer of the Year award was presented to

Sergeant Brian Calver from Suffolk Police. As the force wildlife lead, one of his main responsibilities is hare coursing (Op Galileo) and he has been innovative in his use of drone technology. Other work included investigations into serious badger offences, and working with NWCU & UK Border Force on internet trading in ivory. Brian has also been active in community awareness with a regular feature on a local radio station.

Chief Superintendent Nick Lyall, the chair of the Raptor Persecution PDG, received the award for Wildlife Crime Operation of the Year for Operation Owl, which is focussed on awareness-raising and public engagement. In connection with this Nick also had the pleasure of presenting a commendation to Sergeant Stuart Grainger of North Yorkshire Police for his work on Operation Owl.

Sgt Brian Calver (centre) winner of WWF ‘Wildlife Enforcer of the Year’ award.

Gu

y S

ho

rro

ck (

RS

PB

)

There were four Lifetime Achievement Awards. Geoff Edmond an RSPCA Inspector for 26 years, and Special Constable for six, has had a distinguished career serving across Yorkshire and the Humber. His ‘never off-duty’ commitment to animal welfare has ensured a strong working relationship with the Police and other enforcement agencies.

PC Jos Bartlett of the Hertfordshire Constabulary, a WCO since 1990 and for the past nine years has been part of the Rural Operational Support Team, dedicated to dealing with Rural, Wildlife, Environmental, Heritage and Equine Crime. She has been involved in tackling a wide range of wildlife crime, and in recent years, has used her experience to support operations with the Border Force CITES team.

National Wildlife Crime Enforcers conference: the winners

Wildlife Law Enforcer of the Year: PC Brian Calver of Suffolk Police

Wildlife Crime Operation of the Year: Operation Owl, Ch Spt Nick Lyall.

Lifetime Achievement Awards: PC Jos Bartlett of Hertfordshire Constabulary, Geoff Edmond of RSPCA, Andy McWilliam of NWCU and Charlie Everitt, NWCU.

Superintendent Commendation: Sgt Stuart Grainger, North Yorkshire Police, for his hard work on Operation Owl.

15

News

Legal Eagle 90

National Wildlife Crime Officers’ CourseBy Craig Fellowes

The only national wildlife crime course continues to be as popular as it was in 1997 when the first course ran as a pilot, and continued to go from strength to strength. Whilst the training is continually being reviewed it is still supported by many of the agencies and partners that have supported it since that date, and is still run and managed by myself.

One of the strengths of the course is the multi-agency approach, delivery and commitment by so many partners and that it still covers the key aspects, the national priorities and practical advice about investigations. This year is the 24th and there have been approximately 1,600 staff trained across all UK police forces in England and Wales, with a number of police forces now running the course in house where they can cut costs and train more staff.

In 2019, in addition to the traditional fixed courses, there were additional courses run for South Yorkshire, Gwent, Wiltshire, Humberside and a combined course for Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northants, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

So far in 2020 there has been a course for West Mercia and Warwickshire, a further combined course for Eastern Region, with potential courses in Dorset, and Gloucestershire.

With so much demand for training, the commitment from the partner agencies is greatly appreciated, by all police forces, CPS and most importantly the species we are all trying to protect.

My sincere thanks to the National Wildlife Crime Unit, Natural England, Bat Conservation Trust, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Badger Trust, League Against Cruel Sports, British Association for Shooting and Conservation, RSPB and the RSPCA.

The next national course with a few places left is the week beginning 21 September. Interested in this course or any other training? Please get in touch: craig@wildlifetraining.co.uk

Chief Supt Nick Lyall (left), winner of WWF ‘Wildlife Crime Operation of the Year’ award, presenting a commendation to Sergeant Stuart Grainger for work on Operation Owl.

Gu

y Sh

orro

ck (RS

PB

)NWCU veterans Charlie Everett, recently retired, and Andy McWilliam both with a long history in wildlife crime and very well-known to the law enforcement community, also received the award. This was in recognition of many years of dedicated work in tackling a huge range of wildlife cases, including some of the most high-profile successes of the last two decades.

Saturday’s workshops included ivory identification, partnership working and an outdoor crime scene session by members of the PAW Forensic Working Group. Sunday saw the traditional range of cases studies again giving an insight into investigation of the wide range of wildlife crime cases. Financial support for the 2019 conference was kindly provided by LACs, The RSPB, IFAW, Badger Trust and the Naturewatch Foundation.

The feedback continues to be excellent, with comments like: “Best course ever attended” “learnt so much and will enjoy using my new knowledge” “Every session will prove so useful” “The knowledge and experience delivered is second to none” “wildlife in this country will be better protected”.

16

News

Legal Eagle 90

PC Mike Wills has been appointed Wildlife Crime Officer for Avon and Somerset Police. PC Wills has 22 years’ experience with the force, and has a passion for wildlife and the countryside.

Accolade for PC DinsdalePC Claire Dinsdale, from Dorset Police, was awarded a Queen’s Police Medal in this year’s New Year Honours list.

PC Dinsdale is the Rural Crime Co-ordinator and Deputy Lead for PC Dinsdale is the Rural Crime Co-ordinator and Deputy Lead for Dorset’s Rural Crime Team, and has been involved with many cases. Said PC Dinsdale: “I am completely bowled over by this. There are many Wildlife Crime cops and police staff out there who deserve such recognition. We are a family across the UK and I hope this award will help raise awareness of the serious nature of wildlife and rural crime. We have many pieces of wildlife legislation, but it still both shocks and amazes me daily that this comes down to a handful of cops, police staff, individuals in other agencies, CPS specialists and charities who all doing their best whilst dealing with other workloads. There needs to be more of us within policing and more training across the UK.”PC Claire Dinsdale

New WCO for Avon and SomersetHe said: “I was brought up on the Somerset Levels by two very keen walkers and conservationists, so I naturally fell into it and carried on with this lifestyle into adulthood. I have been a voluntary Wildlife Crime Officer for 14 years, helping to investigate or advise other officers, so this is a natural progression for me. I’m really pleased to be given this opportunity and I am excited about being in a role where I am guaranteed to get my boots dirty.”

Do

rset

Po

lice

Kestrels are one of the most commonly-seen birds of prey for many as they can be easy to see and identify by their habit of hovering over fields and roadsides.

One kestrel was found alive but injured in Newent, Gloucestershire, by two runners who had heard the crack of gunshot nearby. The bird had a large part of its wing missing and could not be saved.

Another injured kestrel was picked up near Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Its body contained two shotgun pellets and it too had to be euthanised. A third bird was found near Huddersfield with a broken wing, caused by shooting. He has survived and is being cared for at a sanctuary in Carlisle.

Kestrels killedThree incidents involving kestrels were reported to the police and the RSPB in the weeks following Christmas 2019.

WCO PC Caroline Newsome of West Yorkshire Police with Kelvin the kestrel.

17

News

Legal Eagle 90

Martin sails into the sunsetMartin Findlow, Natural England’s Regulation and Enforcement Lead for the North West, retired on 30 April 2020 after 10 years with the organisation.

After retiring from Cheshire Police in 2006 Martin became the Force Wildlife Crime Officer and took an active role in the PAW Enforcement Working Group. He was involved in a number of investigations relating to fox hunting, badger persecution and cock fighting.

His most notable achievement came in 2008 when working with

the National Wildlife Crime Unit he convicted two members of the Welsh Hawking Group for possessing a wild caught goshawk and fraudulent paperwork. The investigation was one of the first of its kind in the UK to use bird DNA to prove the case.

Following government cutbacks in 2010 Cheshire Police made the Wildlife Crime Officers role redundant so Martin jumped ship and joined Natural England (NE) as their Regulation and Enforcement Lead for the North West, predominantly looking after SSSI’s. Over the years he made a significant impact on Natural England’s enforcement capability as a trainer and investigator.

During his time with NE, Martin secured a number of key prosecutions which included the Via Ferrata case at Honister Slate Mine and Gelt Woods ancient

As part of that role, he worked with officers from every UK police force offering advice and assistance on the investigation of bat crime. BCT’s annual bat crime report provides a detailed insight into this work. At a time when police resources have been under ever-increasing strain there have been many examples of outstanding work by investigators and CPS prosecutors. The use of conservation impact statements and proceeds of crime orders has served to significantly raise the profile of wildlife crime and conservation status of protected species. The innovative use of restorative justice measures has also resulted in conservation benefits that can’t be achieved by prosecution.

Pete Charleston retires from BCT

Pete’s retirement brings to an end over 30 years’ involvement with wildlife crime. A former Sergeant and WCO with North Wales Police, his first successful case in the early 1990s related to the attempted taking of roseate tern eggs.

Other investigations involved a wide range of species from the taking of bluebell bulbs to goshawk disturbance.

He was the first UK police officer to be seconded to a statutory conservation agency focussing on offences on protected sites and habitats. He completed 30 years’ service in 2008, but continued with consultancy work as Staff Officer to five Chief Constables holding the wildlife crime portfolio. In recent years he chaired the Wildlife and Countryside LINK’s wildlife crime team and trade working group.

Pete is looking forward to having more time for wildlife volunteering, birding and country sports.

woodland damage, where the offender was fined £450,000. This remains the largest case prosecuted by Natural England.

Other notable cases included the first prosecution under the Environmental Impact Agriculture Regulations at Newby Bridge in Cumbria for damaging a county wildlife site and the first civil sanctions compliance notice; served on the Abbeystead Estate in Bowland for killing lesser black-backed gulls.

After 45 years in law enforcement Martin is looking forward to his retirement and intends to spend more time yachting and running a power boat training centre in Anglesey.

He said: “I’d like to extend my very best wishes to all who have worked with me over the years.”

After 10 years as Investigations Officer for the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT), Pete Charleston retired in March 2020.

Pete Charleston

Martin Findlow

18

International

Legal Eagle 90

Autopsies revealed no fewer than 110 pellets in the body of one of the birds, which was found near Barcelonne-du-Gers.

Bonelli’s eagles are a protected species and the subject of large conservation efforts. In 2019, there

were only 38 pairs in France, making it one of the most threatened raptors in the country. Anyone responsible for killing these eagles could face two years in jail and a £150,000 fine.

Endangered eagles shotTwo young Bonelli’s eagles were killed in south-west France in February 2020, during the hunting season.

2019 ‘Second-worst year’ for illegal huntingAt least 99 birds were illegally shot last year according to a report by BirdLife Malta, making it the second-worst year since 2013 for illegal hunting. But this is thought to be only the tip of the iceberg, with many others likely to go undiscovered.

BirdLife received nearly 400 reports from the public – an average of eight per day – in response to its #NoMoreCallers public awareness campaign. This was designed to combat the illegal use of electronic bird calling devices, used to lure birds to be shot.

The charity is calling on the government to make uncontrolled finch trapping illegal, and set up a dedicated Wildlife Crime Unit.

The Bonelli’s eagle, one of the most threatened birds of prey in France. Jesus Cobaleda (shutterstock.com)

Turtle dove

Golden oriole. Honey buzzard

Stone-curlew

Bir

dLi

fe M

alta

Bir

dLi

fe M

alta

Bir

dLi

fe M

alta

Bir

dLi

fe M

alta

19

International

Legal Eagle 90

Finch trappers caught red-handed

Three men were arrested in Spain in January 2020 after they were discovered trying to catch finches in Vallfogona de Balaguer in Lleida, Spain.

A police patrol saw the men behaving suspiciously and suspected they may be looking for birds. The men attempted to flee upon realising they were being watched, but their car swerved off the road and landed in a ditch.

The police searched the vehicle and found traps and other devices used for catching finches – which is strictly banned under European law. One of the men was found to have a history of crimes against wildlife. They have been charged and are due to appear in court.

Safe haven in trapping blackspotVolunteers are working hard to turn one of the most notorious trapping sites in Cyprus into a safe haven for migrating birds.

By planting trees, sowing meadows and digging ponds, BirdLife Cyprus aim to create a natural pit-stop for a range of bird species passing through the Famagusta district.

The idea came from Christoph Hein, a volunteer for NABU, BirdLife’s German partner, who has worked combatting illegal bird killing in Italy. Community work is also planned to help change local attitudes to illegal killing, and it’s hoped the presence of volunteers in the area will also serve to deter would-be trappers.

50 protected birds shotDuring this year’s spring hunting season, which was supposed to be open only for the hunting of common quail, BirdLife Malta and police recovered 50 known illegally shot protected birds.

Many more were observed being shot at during the three weeks of the season which ran between 10 and 30 April 2020. From these, 43 were found by members of the public and seven by the police.

18 of the injured or dead birds were turtle doves – clear evidence that

this year’s season was made to coincide with the peak migration of the protected turtle dove and was once again a smokescreen allowing hunters to kill these vulnerable birds.

In 2020 more than four times the birds were found than in 2019. These results will now be formally reported to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment.

To read more about this go to the Policy section of this newsletter.

20 live birds in cardboard boxes were found stuffed in a suitcase at Lima Airport in Peru in January 2020.

Bird smuggler arrested in Peru

In January 2020 two Cyprus bird trappers, wanted by Sovereign Base Area Police, turned themselves in to Dakelia police station.

It followed an incident on 14 January where volunteers from Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) led SBA police to an illegal bird trapping site near Ayios Nicolaos. Two men turned up and began behaving aggressively, then one punched a volunteer in the face before fleeing the scene.

Volunteer attacked in CyprusPolice issued arrests for the two suspects and conducted a search, until both men turned themselves in days later. A trial will take place soon.

CABS have welcomed the quick success of the investigation and praised the SBA police for their professional work and efforts in combatting and reducing illegal bird trapping. CABS also noted enforcement in the Republic is at an all-time low.

The birds were found in Conings’ cabin baggage

Hugo Conings was about to board the plane when authorities realised he had the birds in his cabin baggage. He was planning to fly to Spain to sell the birds, namely tanagers and toucanets, which are all protected species. While all the birds survived, many showed signs of stress, feather loss and dehydration.

Conings could face five years in jail for illegal wildlife trafficking, which is one of the main causes of biodiversity loss in Peru.

20

And finally…

Legal Eagle 90

W C O

KEEPING WILDLIFE CRIME OFFICERS INFORMED

For more information on wild birds and the law, visit rspb.org.uk/birdlaw

The RSPB is the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. We play a leading role in BirdLife International, a worldwide partnership of nature conservation organisations.

The RSPB is a registered charity in England and Wales 207076,in Scotland SC037654. 232-0994-18-19

Write to be readWe welcome contributions to Legal Eagle. Please let us know about wildlife crime initiatives, news, events and prosecutions in your force. Send your articles and mailing list updates to The Editor, The RSPB, Investigations Section, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, by email to jenny.shelton@rspb.org.uk or telephone 01767 680551. The views expressed in Legal Eagle are not necessarily those of the RSPB or PAW.

Cover photo: otter by Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)

The RSPBUK Headquarters The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL Tel: 01767 680551

Scotland Headquarters 2 Lochside View, Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh EH12 9DH Tel: 0131 317 4100

Northern Ireland Headquarters Belvoir Park Forest, Belfast BT8 7QTTel: 028 9049 1547

Wales Headquarters Castlebridge 3, 5–19 Cowbridge Road East,Cardiff CF11 9AB Tel: 029 2035 3000

PAWPAW is The Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime, a multi-agency body of organisations involved in wildlife law enforcement in the UK.

PAW provides opportunities for statutory and non-governmental organisations to work together to combat wildlife crime, and to promote the enforcement of wildlife conservation legislation, particularly through supporting the networks of Police Wildlife Crime Officers and officers from HM Revenue and Customs and the UK’s Border Force.

Want more info? Visit defra.gov.uk/paw

Hello, goodbye!At the end of 2019, RSPB Investigations said goodbye to John McMahon, who worked as an Assistant Investigations Officer, based in Edinburgh, and was employed as part of the RSPB’s Hen Harrier LIFE Project team for five years. John played a significant part in monitoring these fantastic birds, liaising closely with members of the Scottish Raptor Study Group and was also a key contibutor to bringing several significant raptor persecution cases to light.

But as each door closes, a new one opens, and the team has also welcomed three new staff members. They will be undertaking fieldwork mainly in Scotland and Wales, and will bolster the Investigations unit with their enthusiasm, new ideas and wealth of experience in working with birds of prey.

Niall Owen has taken up the post of RSPB Cymru Raptor Officer in a new Welsh government-funded role, in a clear joint statement of intent in the fight against raptor persecution in Wales.

If you’d like to change how you hear from us or you no longer wish to receive this publication, just let us know. Please call Jenny Shelton on 01767 693024 or e-mail jenny.shelton@rspb.org.uk. For more information about your data protection rights please take a look at: rspb.org.uk/privacypolicy

Niall brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for birds of prey to the role, and has already began undertaking fieldwork. As well as supporting the police with investigations into crimes involving birds of prey, he will be satellite tagging hen harriers and monitoring their nests over the summer.

Niall Owen, RSPB Cymru Raptor Officer