Travelling Abroad
There are three main points to remember about the law when travelling abroad.
First, each country has its own laws on protecting wildlife. Activities that are lawful in the UK, such as observing some species at close quarters, may be against the law elsewhere. Always check the local law before you do anything that might in any way disturb or harm threatened wildlife.
Second, there are very strict laws on the import and export of endangered species, especially those listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). It is an offence to try to bring into this country any of these plants or animals, or any parts or derivatives from them, unless you have the necessary permit with you. Such controls apply not only to the more obvious items such as tiger skins, rhinoceros horn or ivory, but also to tourist souvenirs that are quite commonly offered, such as corals, goods made of reptile skins, and orchids. It does include many species that might not occur to you such as snowdrops, monkey-puzzles and bearberry. The rules are complex and you are advised to check before you leave if you plan to bring such items into the UK. You risk prosecution and having the item confiscated.
Third, there are strict laws to prevent the transmission of plant and animal diseases. These lay down detailed rules on when you are permitted to bring into the country any live bird or animal or any plant, including seeds or bulbs. Again, check the position before you travel by contacting DEFRA.
The Nature
Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 has applied the requirements of UK
law to any bird, egg or protected animal that you aquired abroad. That means
that you must be able to demonstrate that the manner in which it was obtained
from the wild would not have breached the law of Scotland had it occurred
here i.e that it was acquired without contravening the Wildlife
and Countryside Act 1981. An exception is made for specimens legally
imported into Scotland in compliance with the rigorous procedures of the CITES
as transposed into European law.
Similar concerns apply to taking wildlife or specimens out of the country. For example, even though birds have been lawfully shot here or specimens lawfully bought here, there may be rules controlling their entry to other countries. Legal restrictions should be checked before you try to take animals or plants into another country.