There are three main types of wildlife crime:

• Cruelty to and the persecution of wildlife species.
• The illegal trade in endangered species.
• Crimes involving native species which are endangered or of conservation concern.

The Government is proposing stronger sentences for wildlife offenders and you can read about recent prosecutions relating to wildlife offences on the 'Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW)' website.

More information about wildlife legislation on the cruelty to and the persecution of wildlife species can be found at 'Wildlife Crime : A Guide to Wildlife Law Enforcement in the UK'.

 

Illegal trade in endangered species
The exploitation of wildlife is big business. Interpol have estimated that the worldwide trade is worth US $5billion each year and there are indications that illegal exploitation, including international smuggling of endangered species, is on the increase.

The import and export of many threatened species is controlled through European Regulations implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). More information can be found at UK CITES.

Internal trade in these species is controlled by the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997.

 

Native and protected species
In the United Kingdom, legislation such as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 give protection to wildlife and important habitats and sites.

Crimes against protected species include killing or taking them from the wild (eg. birds of prey, plants); collecting their eggs or skins for personal collections; trading in them; and taxidermy offences. People destroying nests and breeding sites; bat roosts and other protected habitats can also be committing offences.

All animals and plants are protected in law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.