Dealing with wildlife corpses

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)

SNH is the Government agency with statutory duties in respect of the protection and enjoyment of the natural heritage of Scotland. SNH is not a law enforcement authority. If, in the course of undertaking its statutory duties, SNH uncovers evidence of an offence having been committed against a protected species, SNH will report the incident to the police and provide any further specialist support as necessary. Only in exceptional circumstances will SNH become involved in reporting directly to the Procurator Fiscal. SNH will usually provide an opinion on whether it is in the interests of the species concerned to pursue a prosecution.

The Police

There is now a network of police wildlife liaison officers (WLOs) in Scotland. The WLO does not necessarily handle all wildlife crime directly in his/her area, but has a co-ordinating role within each force and is the point of contact for staff from SNH, RSPB and SSPCA. The role of the police in relation to wildlife casualties is solely in respect of law enforcement. They are only involved if an offence is thought to have been committed.

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)

The RSPB is a non-statutory organisation employing two full-time staff in Scotland, whose primary function is to investigate offences against wild birds. They work closely with the police and other relevant organisations in the collection of evidence necessary for the successful prosecution of offenders.

Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA)

The SSPCA is a non-statutory organisation with the overall aim of preventing cruelty to animals and encouraging kindness and humanity in their treatment. The Society operates 14 Animal Welfare Centres which care for both domestic and wild animals. SSPCA inspectors have a detailed knowledge of animal welfare legislation and, with respect to suspicious wildlife casualties, can assist in the collection of evidence and in the prosecution of offenders.

Scottish Agricultural Science Agency (SASA)

SASA is an executive agency of the Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department (SERAD) responsible for undertaking pesticide analysis on tissue samples from wildlife (and domestic animal) carcases submitted as part of the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS).

Lasswade Veterinary Laboratory

The laboratory is a department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL) Weybridge. It provides a range of services including postmortem examination and the diagnosis of diseases in both farmed livestock and wildlife. Unless the carcase has been submitted as part of the WLLS, there is normally a charge for the laboratory's services.

Scottish Agricultural College Veterinary Science Division (SACVSD)

The SAC is a non-statutory organisation, whose Veterinary Science Division comprises eight laboratories spread across Scotland. The addresses of these are given in Annex 2. The SACVSD laboratories provide a postmortem service at any of its eight laboratories, for which a charge may be levied, depending on the circumstances. SACVSD also undertakes postmortem examinations as part of the WLLS, in which case the work is free of charge.

National Museums of Scotland (NMS)

The National Museums of Scotland contain a large number of animal specimens, most of which have been collected in Scotland. NMS provides free access to its environmental archive. One of its most important roles is to add contemporary specimens to the collection so that the continuity of the time series is maintained. NMS also receives important research collections from universities and other research institutes, which would otherwise be destroyed. NMS also holds the Scottish Insects Records Schemes (SIRI) and is involved in the Scottish Strandings Scheme. NMS staff have expertise in a variety of fields and play an important role in identifying specimens collected in the field, contributing information to biodiversity action plans and providing samples for other researchers.

4. What to do with wildlife corpses

4.1 Victims of illegal persecution

4.1.1 What to look for if a wildlife casualty is discovered and there is reason to suspect that an offence may have been committed, it is important to remember that undue interference with it (or any associated evidence) could prejudice any subsequent prosecution. Obvious cases include the illegal use of traps and snares involving the capture of a protected species. If a partially decomposed carcase (even of a legitimate target species) is found in a snare, this also indicates that an offence may have been committed, (i.e. failure to check the device on a daily basis).

Other cases, possibly involving poisoned baits or carcases of protected species which have apparently been shot, may not be quite so obvious. The following should immediately arouse suspicion:

• Carcases (often rabbits or pigeons) which have been slit open, 5pegged down or tied to a tree or fence post and may have dead invertebrates present. Pesticide may or may not be visible on the flesh and staining may sometimes be present on the ground nearby;

• Raw meat or fish, laced with powder, granules or liquid (or possibly injected with pesticide);

• Hen's or pheasant's eggs left in suspicious or unexplained locations (e.g. heather moorland), especially if deliberately marked in some way;

• Dead birds of prey and/or corvids6 either found singly, or a number of them together, beside a carcase.

5 Opened, but otherwise uncontaminated rabbit carcases are sometimes left in the vicinity of legal crow traps, seemingly to attract crows into the vicinity of the trap. This is not illegal.

4.1.2 What to do next...

If a wildlife crime is thought to have taken place (or is taking place):

• if possible the carcase should be left in situ and photographs taken;

• report the incident to the police and ask to speak to the WLO if possible;

• the WLO will then assess whether another agency or agencies should become involved;

• if it is solely within the remit of the SSPCA then the police will refer the enquiry to them, otherwise:

• the police undertake an initial enquiry, or joint initial enquiry with SERAD, SSPCA or RSPB.

4.2

If it is considered likely that the carcase (or bait/trap) may be removed to eliminate the evidence, or there is a risk of poisoning or injury to other animals, the evidence should be covered and the police contacted immediately.
Suspected victims of illegal persecution should be routinely x-rayed by a qualified witness, in order to reveal the presence of any gun-shot. (Blood is not always visible externally, or a shot specimen may have been placed on a busy road to make it appear that the death was due to a road traffic accident).

4.2.1 The Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WLLS)

Although the police should always be contacted if there is evidence to suggest illegal persecution of wildlife, it is important to remember that incidents involving the suspected misuse or abuse of pesticides should also be reported promptly to the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme. (If the police are involved from the outset, this liaison would usually be undertaken by them).

This scheme is operated throughout Britain by the Government's agriculture departments. In addition to wildlife incidents, the scheme includes companion animals, farm livestock and honey bees and is therefore more wide-ranging than the title suggests.

Incidents of approved use and misuse can highlight problems with the approval conditions or the label instructions for a pesticide and can provide valuable feedback into the regulatory process. The results of the WLLS investigations are also used in the enforcement of legislation, including offences against the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 and the Food and Environmental Protection Act 1985 (and the associated Control of Pesticide Regulations 1986).

Incidents involving unusual behaviour or deaths of wildlife may be reported by members of the public direct to SASA (or SERAD), or alternatively via SNH and relevant non-statutory organisations. There is a national Freephone number for reporting incidents:

0800 321 600

it is stressed that only cases which merit investigation should be forwarded for analysis. If in doubt, it is best to report the incident. The following conditions should normally be fulfilled. Wildlife incidents to be investigated should be thought to have:

• occurred on or near agricultural land; and/or

• involved the use or abuse of an agricultural chemical or a chemical in which SERAD has a special interest, e.g.alpha-chloralose, strychnine,7 carbamate and rodenticides.

6 Members of the crow family, which also includes jackdaws, rooks, ravens, magpies, jays and choughs.


It is essential that incidents involving suspected pesticide abuse are reported to the local SERAD Principal Agricultural Officer without delay. (This is due to the short life of many chemicals). Alternatively, the reporter of the incident may contact SASA directly. The addresses of the SASA laboratory and the SERAD Area Offices are given in Annexes 2 and 3 respectively. SERAD has field staff who can investigate incidents and arrange for samples of chemicals or corpses to be sent to the SASA laboratory at East Craigs, Edinburgh.

The decision on whether an incident should be investigated under the terms of the scheme lies with agricultural staff and SASA.

Any specimens in the possession of the reporter may, after consultation with relevant staff in SERAD or SASA, be forwarded direct to the laboratory. They should be kept frozen until immediately before posting and should be individually wrapped, well packed and sent by First Class letter post and labelled 'PATHOLOGICAL SPECIMEN - FREEZE'. It is advisable to post early in the week to avoid deterioration in the post over the weekend.

A full report will be made and copies sent to the reporter of the incident and the appropriate SERAD office.

4.2 Bioaccumulation of toxins

Since the 1960s, the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), (formerly the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (ITE)), has monitored the presence of organochlorine pesticides in the tissues of various predatory birds as an essential component of The Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme. The analytical programme has since been extended to include two other Red List8 substances (PCBs and mercury). In addition, barn owl carcases are analysed for the presence of rodenticides. The scheme is now one of the longest running of its kind in the world and is based entirely on birds that are found dead and supplied by members of the public.


CEH analyses the eggs of the following birds for persistent organochlorines (DDE, HEOD and PCBs) and lead: peregrine falcon, merlin, golden eagle, sea eagle and gannet The livers of a wider range of species are also analysed for these substances: kestrel, sparrowhawk, peregrine falcon, merlin, hobby, golden eagle, buzzard, hen harrier, osprey, long-eared owl, little owl, heron, bittern, kingfisher and great-crested grebe. (Tawny owls are not analysed, but tissues are stored). These species have been selected because they are especially vulnerable to pesticides, or because their distribution or prey-preference makes them suitable for monitoring the geographical and temporal trends in pesticide use. All specimens are examined and a sample of liver used for organochlorine and heavy metal residue analysis. Samples of brain, muscle, kidney and fat are also taken from as many specimens as possible in order to provide, along with the liver, a bank of permanently frozen material in case of future need to investigate pollutants.

The following information is required:

• name and address of finder;

• locality (including grid reference, if possible), date and circumstances in which the carcase was found;

• whole specimen required for establishing cause of death and condition of bird.

Specimens should be sealed in a polythene bag and placed in a padded envelope or suitable box with packing (e.g. crumpled newspaper, bubble-wrap etc.) The package should be marked 'PERISHABLE GOODS' and posted first class. (See Annex 2 for address). Postage will be refunded in postage stamps

If there is a delay in posting, specimens may be either frozen or simply kept cool to delay decomposition. Very decomposed or desiccated birds should not be sent.

7 The sale and use of alpha-chloralose and strychnine is regulated by the provisions of The Poisons Rules 1982.
8 The 'Red List' comprises a number of highly toxic substances which are particularly dangerous to the aquatic environment and whose discharge requires consent from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

4.3 Bats and rabies

The incidence of rabies and related viruses in British bats is currently under investigation by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF). It is important to remember that classical rabies is not recorded in bats in Europe but some bats on the continent carry a rabies-related virus. Scientists in the UK have been undertaking surveillance for such viruses since 1987. During that time over 2500 bats have been tested; only one of these was positive. Dead bats for rabies-testing should be treated as follows:

• Carcases should be packed in a tightly sealed container and surrounded by absorbent material. This should be securely fastened and placed in a strong envelope or padded bag. The package must be marked 'PATHOLOGICAL SPECIMEN: FRAGILE WITH CARE'. Packages should be clearly marked with a large red 'R' next to the address.

• Samples should be accompanied by details of date, locality (including grid reference, if possible), and circumstances of finding.

All dead bats should be sent by First Class mail to the Central Veterinary Laboratory (Rabies Diagnostics - address given in Annex 2) as soon as possible. Again, try to avoid weekends. If there is to be delay in posting, keep in a refrigerator (4-6°C) until the bat can be collected or posted. Rabies-related virus can be isolated from frozen or decomposing material, but the chances are enhanced in fresh, unfrozen specimens.

4.4 Marine mammals and turtles

All marine mammal stranding incidents and turtle strandings should be reported to SACVSD Inverness (the Scottish Strandings Scheme - see Annex 2 for details) where 24 hour contacts are available. Postmortem examinations will be undertaken on all suitable cetacean and turtle carcases. Postmortem examinations will be undertaken on seals if the mortality incident appears to be unusual. Note that it is not advisable to touch dead cetaceans without adequate skin protection as they frequently carry organisms capable of causing serious illness in humans.

4.5 Taxidermy

Carcases of species which are afforded legal protection in respect of possession may be given (but not sold) to a taxidermist for stuffing and mounting. However, the onus is on the individual in possession of the carcase (and of the finished product) to be able to demonstrate that the specimen was obtained lawfully and was not illegally killed. It is strongly recommended, therefore, that the carcase is taken, without delay, to a veterinary surgeon for examination. Written confirmation from the latter, along with details of its finding, should be obtained as appropriate and kept indefinitely, as proof that the stuffed specimen was not obtained illegally, should its possession ever be challenged.