Scotland is home to a huge diversity of species and habitats, many of which are rare or sensitive to disturbance. Whilst the vast majority of people respect and value this natural heritage, there are some who do not and who intentionally or recklessly set out to catch, kill, disturb, persecute or inflict cruelty to our wildlife.
Wildlife Crime of considerable concern to Scottish Natural Heritage and we are actively involved in the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW). PAW is a multi-agency body comprising representatives of all the organisations involved in wildlife law enforcement in the UK. It provides opportunities for statutory and non-Government organisations to work together to combat wildlife crime. PAW’s main objective is to promote the enforcement of wildlife conservation legislation, particularly through supporting the networks of Police Wildlife Crime Officers and HM Revenue and Customs. For more information see the PAW website.

The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 was introduced to provide a robust system for safeguarding Scotland’s most special places and it’s wealth of wildlife whilst also putting Scotland at the forefront of biodiversity conservation. Ignorance of the law is not a defence, so always check with Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Executive or your local police Wildlife Liaison Officer (WLO) before taking any action which may impact on a protected species or habitat. WLO contacts can be found here.

As part of SNH’s contribution to combat wildlife crime we work with our partners to raise awareness of Wildlife Crime in Scotland. In partnership with other organisations such the Police, the Scottish Executive, SSPCA, and other voluntary bodies and voluntary groups we arrange events that highlight a particular wildlife crime. There is a PAW mobile unit (see picture below) which travels up and down the country to shows and events. Inside the Unit partners are available to talk about wildlife crime and there are examples of types of equipment, like illegal snares and traps, which criminals use to catch and kill our wildlife. There are also games, videos and a computer to learn more about this subject. We also hold a range of other educational materials, including a highly successful free schools workbook that was launched last year. For further information including forthcoming events, go to our schools wildlife crime website.

The PAW mobile unit with children from Aviemore Primary School, October 2005

As bats commonly use buildings in which to roost, they are vulnerable to either unintentional human disturbance or deliberate persecution. Consequently they are also regarded as a PAW priority for action. SNH part funds the employment of a Scottish Bat Officer by the Bat Conservation Trust, whose job is to raise awareness of bats amongst the general public and to promote bat conservation. The Scottish Bat Officer works closely with both SNH staff and BCT's own Investigations Officer in cases where illegal activity against bats is believed to have occurred. Find out more details of bats and the law and how to download the BCT (UK) Bat Crime Report.

A Campaign to save Scotland's threatened native oysters from poaching has been launched in Argyll and Bute. The native oyster once supported a prolific fishery in the west of Scotland but now there are only a few dwindling and isolated populations left. More information on the Oyster is available in a colourful leaflet available from SNH Publications section at SNH, Battleby, Perth PH1 3EW

The Partnership Against Wildlife crime (PAW) have a number of priority species to protect against wildlife crime on Scotland. The hen harrier, like many birds of prey, is often subject to persecution and is one such priorities. Another national priority is the freshwater pearl mussel, which used to be widespread across Europe and is now very rare, with Scotland a stronghold for this species. Although a number of different factors have been cited for it’s decline, illegal pearl-fishing can put further pressure on these populations.

Illegally taken Pearl mussel shells on river bank – Scotland is a stronghold for this rare species

If you have an queries about SNH and wildlife crime please e-mail licensing@snh.gov.uk

Events in February:-

1. The Scottish Wildlife Crime seminar at Tulliallan Police college on 14 February,
2. Wildlife Law Enforcement Workshop discussing the progress made throughout GB and NI on the PAW priority species on 23 February.
3. The National PAW Annual Open Seminar at Regents Park, London Zoo on 28 February, where presentations will be given on various PAW partners, and the Annual PAW awards.

And check out SNH’s schools and wildlife crime website and defra’s PAW website for future events.

Other useful links:

• www.scottishbadgers.org.uk
• www.biodiversityscotland.org.uk
• www.bats.org.uk
• www.plantlife.org.uk
• www.scotland.gov.uk