legal eagle

AND FINALLY…
LEGAL EAGLE
Alan is back!
THE RSPB’S INVESTIGATIONS NEWSLETTER
We reported in Legal Eagle 65
that ex South Yorkshire WCO Sgt
Alan Firth had retired, and was
looking for a quiet life watching
Sheffield Wednesday. However,
now we can announce he has
been resurrected as the new
RSPB Investigations Officer in
Northern England. Alan started
in July 2012 and brings with him
a wealth of experience from
15 years as a WCO, particularly
in relation to matters in the
Peak District. We wish Alan well,
and he can be contacted on
07900 678925.
OCTOBER 2012 No 68
S Mäkitalo
Alan Firth relaxing in his garden
PAW
PAW is The Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime,
a multi-agency body comprising representatives of the
organisations involved in wildlife law enforcement in
the UK. It provides opportunities for statutory and
non-governmental organisations to work together to
combat wildlife crime. Its main objective is 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 Border Agency.
Please visit www.defra.gov.uk/paw for more information.
Write to be read
We 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 e-mail to vicki.blair@rspb.org.uk or by fax to 01767 693078. The views
expressed in Legal Eagle are not necessarily those of the RSPB or PAW.
The RSPB
UK Headquarters
The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL
Tel: 01767 680551
Northern Ireland Headquarters
Belvoir Park Forest, Belfast BT8 7QT
Tel: 028 9049 1547
We belong to BirdLife International, the global
partnership of bird conservation organisations.
Scotland Headquarters
2 Lochside View,
Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh EH12 9DH
Tel: 0131 317 4100
Wales Headquarters
Sutherland House, Castlebridge,
Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF11 9AB
Tel: 029 2035 3000
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
(RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales
no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654. 232-0409-11-12
www.rspb.org.uk
The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling
the problems that threaten our environment.
Nature is amazing – help us keep it that way.
SOWING THE SEED
There has been a substantial seizure of birds’ eggs in Scandinavia
after a UK investigation into their illegal trade.
For more information on wild birds and the law, visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdlaw
W L O
IN THIS ISSUE: Suspended sentence not imposed on re-offender • Landmark
case: two farmers fined for damaging protected woodland • Magistrates
weep at badger baiting video • New DNA method used effectively in court
PROSECUTIONS
PROSECUTIONS
Pole trapper
prosecuted
(continued from front page)
In Legal Eagle 62 we reported on the conviction of
Andrew Seed in May 2010 for illegal smuggling and
trade in birds’ eggs. The RSPB examined extensive
e-mail correspondence and other items. This led to major
investigations into two other UK nationals, one currently
ongoing, and has implicated further persons outside the
UK who were potentially involved in similar offences.
The RSPB prepared an intelligence report which was
disseminated by the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU)
to authorities in Sweden. This led to seizures of more than
6,000 birds’ eggs from three suspects. Enquiries are
currently ongoing, but other individuals have already
been implicated: one man in Sweden and another in
Österbotten, Finland, in possession of more than 10,000
birds’ eggs and around 300 taxidermy specimens.
A man has been fined just £100 after
a tawny owl died from horrific injuries
after being caught in a pole trap. This
is a barbaric device which has been
banned for more than 100 years.
Norfolk WCO PC Jon Hopes reports.
Alan Roberts of the NWCU visited enforcement officials
in Finland in relation to the ongoing investigations in
June 2012.
We hope to report more on UK and Scandinavian
enquiries in due course.
“On 21 February 2012, Jack
Barrett Williams, 19, from
Dereham Road, Easton, near
Norwich, pleaded guilty at
Norwich Magistrates’ Court
to the illegal use of a spring
trap, contrary to Section
8(1)(a) of the Pests Act 1954.
Two charges under the
Wildlife and Countryside
Act 1981 were discontinued.
He was fined £100.
When is a suspended sentence
not a suspended sentence?
Andy McWilliam of the NWCU reports
on an unexpected outcome following
the breach of a suspended sentence
by Brynn McDonagh, for the illegal
sale and importation of birds of prey.
“On 22 November 2010, Brynn
McDonagh, 28, of West Heath,
Birmingham, was sentenced to
10 months in prison, suspended for
a year. McDonagh had imported 20 EU
CITES Annex B birds of prey, claiming
they were imported for a breeding
programme. The birds were actually
being advertised for sale prior to
import, and many
had already
been sold. We reported this in
Legal Eagle 64.
In September 2011, McDonagh
advertised a Swedish “wild-taken”
imported goshawk for sale on a
falconry website. A CITES Article 10
(A10) Certificate had been issued for
this goshawk, but this had always
included movement restrictions and
a prohibition on sale. McDonagh was
warned by the Animal Health and
Veterinary Laboratories Agency
(AHVLA) and the Hawk Board that
he could not sell the bird. However,
a “sold” notice on the advert indicated
the sale had gone ahead.
McDonagh with African hawk eagle
– one of the birds illegally imported
from South Africa
On 3 May 2011, I went
to see a chicken run on
waste ground at Easton.
This was made up of six
foot posts, chicken wire
around its sides and
netting over the top.
Surprisingly, McDonagh pleaded not
guilty. He changed his plea about the
prohibited sale of the goshawk and
keeping an unregistered merlin. The
District Judge committed the case to the
Crown Court, saying that McDonagh had
clearly breached his suspended sentence
and added that she did not feel she had
sufficient powers to sentence him.
A freshly killed tawny owl
was caught in a Mark IV
Fenn trap, which had been set on top of
the highest post. The owl had suffered
horrific injuries to both legs, as the trap
had cut through the skin and flesh down
to the bone on both legs.
McDonagh appeared before a judge at
Birmingham Crown Court on 27 April
2012, but the judge declined to invoke
the suspended sentence. McDonagh
was sentenced to 180 hours’ unpaid
work, £510 costs and the birds were
confiscated. She also extended his
suspended sentence by six months,
which effectively expired on
21 May 2012.
The NWCU would like to
thank PC Phil Allen from West
Midlands Police for his
efforts in bringing
this case before
the courts.”
I interviewed Williams two days later.
He admitted to having had no game
keeping training, only working with
pigs and sheep. He claimed he had a
problem with mice eating his chicken
eggs, and had bought the trap at a car
boot sale for £1.50 baited. He denied
trying to catch owls or any other birds.
Ian Muttitt (RSPCA)
On 25 October 2011, I searched
McDonagh’s home, and found
McDonagh owned a merlin. Merlins are
listed on Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and
Countryside Act 1981 (WCA),
which requires captive birds
to be registered. He had
imported the bird from
Malta in December 2010.
He only held a Maltese
A10, which was not valid for
registration purposes. Only a
UK-issued A10 covers a merlin as
a registration document.
He was arrested and admitted selling
the goshawk without a valid A10 and
keeping an unregistered goshawk.
He was then charged.
He was initially charged with
intentionally killing a wild bird and
using an unlawful trap to take a wild
bird, contrary to the Wildlife and
Countryside Act 1981. These were
discontinued following the plea to
the offence under the Pest Act 1954.”
The tawny owl killed in the pole
trap – barbaric devices banned
for more than a century
Inset: close up – the tawny owl
suffered horrific injuries
J Hopes, Norfolk Police
2
3
PROSECUTIONS
PROSECUTIONS
Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
Eggs of Manx shearwaters were taken by Gonshaw
The Metropolitan Police, assisted by the
RSPB, searched his home in London,
and found a collection of 700 eggs, for
which he later received both a six-month
jail sentence and an ASBO not to enter
Scotland from England during the bird
breeding season for 10 years.
Meanwhile, in Scotland, Gonshaw was
released from custody after his house
had been searched. The RSPB identified
the eggs seized from Rum as eight
Manx shearwater and 12 passerine
eggs. Rum is a National Nature Reserve
(NNR) and Site of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSI). It holds one of the
largest Manx shearwater colonies in
the world, with nearly a quarter of the
world population. The egg-blowing kit
was also subject to forensic DNA
testing at Science and Advice for
Scottish Agriculture (SASA), which
helped support the other evidence.
This case involved cross-member
agency working within the Partnership
Against Wildlife Crime Scotland
(PAWS), including Northern
Constabulary, Crown Office Procurator
Fiscal, the NWCU, Scottish Natural
Heritage (SNH), SASA and the RSPB.”
A forensic first
Dr Lucy Webster of the Wildlife DNA
Forensics Section at the Science and
Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA)
reports on a new use of DNA testing.
“In June of last year, an egg-blowing
kit found in Gonshaw’s possession
was brought to the laboratory for
analysis. The police were keen to know
if it was possible to demonstrate that
the kit had been used to blow eggs
from wild birds. Based on the type of
eggs found in his possession that had
been identified by the RSPB, and
witness statements from the island
of Rum relating to his activities near
nesting birds, DNA tests were
developed for five different species.
These tests were run on samples from
various parts of the kit. Three of these
tests gave positive results, confirming
that DNA from Manx shearwater,
a gull, and a warbler was on the kit.
This result shows that DNA from at
least three species were on Gonshaw’s
egg-blowing kit – and all of them could
be linked to the wider investigation of
his activities on Rum. This is believed
to be the first time an examination of
this type has been done.”
Defence agent David McKie said that his client risked losing
his employment if convicted. However, Sheriff McCreadie
said: “This case involved a dereliction of duty to wild birds.
You did not act as a reasonably competent gamekeeper.
The buzzard has been endangered and is only now making
its way back from relentless persecution”.
Sheriff McCreadie went on to say: “I am satisfied that this
is a case where a fine is appropriate, not only for you, but
to discourage others”. Smith Graham was fined £450.
Following the court case, RSPB Scotland’s Head of
Investigations Ian Thomson said: “We welcome the
A buzzard that had starved to death was
discovered in this crow trap, operated by Smith
Graham, on the Glen Lyon estate in Perthshire
50-year-old barn owl nesting site
destroyed by builder
A builder, fined for destroying a
nesting site which had been used
for more than half a century, claimed
he was unaware that barn owls
nested there. He admitted failure
to carry out a proper survey of the
derelict building. WCO Sergeant Rob
Taylor of North Wales Police reports:
“On 10 July 2012 at Caernarfon
Magistrates Court, David Alan Titley,
40, pleaded guilty to two charges
under the Wildlife and Countryside Act
1981, for disturbing a young barn owl
and destruction of a nest. He was
fined £250, with £150 costs.
Titley had been contracted to carry
out clearance and repair work on a
derelict house in Penygroeslon near
Pwllheli in May 2011, where barn owls
had nested for more than 50 years.
Local witnesses had seen the birds at
the site and heard chicks in the nest
during the days before Titley and two
colleagues arrived. A farmer, worried
about possible damage to the owls,
reported the matter to police.
When the North Wales Police arrived,
the loft had been removed and the
wooden planks burnt and there was
no sign of either the nest or owlets.
Patrick Lindley, a Senior Conservation
Officer for the RSPB, provided an
expert witness statement on the
breeding ecology of barn owls and
noted the remains of barn owl pellets
in the ashes.
In mitigation, the court were told that
Titley, an experienced builder, was
unaware the owls nested in the
building. He accepted he failed to
carry out a proper survey, claiming
he had been given assurances that
such a study had been carried out
and had started the work.
My thanks go to PC Dewi Evans
at Pwllheli for his professional and
diligent investigation on this case.”
The building
where the
barn owl nest
destruction
took place
5
PC Dewi Evans, North Wales police
4
Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA)
DNA testing was
done on this egg
blowing kit seized
from Gonshaw
The case started when it was brought to
the attention of Northern Constabulary
that a man was acting strangely in a
gull colony on the isle of Rum, and that
someone had also been sending shoebox sized parcels off the island. When
the police arrived on the island, staff
from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)
immediately pointed out a man
carrying an enormous rucksack, in
which police found 20 wild birds’ eggs.
He admitted to owning an egg-blowing
kit which was retrieved by police.
On 27 June 2012, at Perth Sheriff Court, Jonathan Smith
Graham, 30, a gamekeeper on the Glen Lyon Estate, pleaded
guilty to using a crow trap in which a buzzard was trapped
and starved to death.
conviction of Mr Smith Graham and the strong comments
made by the Sheriff. This latest case illustrates, yet again,
the lax approach taken by some gamekeepers to following
the licence conditions laid out by the Scottish Government.
The use of these licences is a privilege, and with this comes
responsibility. Mr Smith Graham clearly did not take his
responsibilities seriously and has now lost that right.”
Tayside police
“On 11 May 2012 at Inverness Sheriff
Court, Matthew Gonshaw pleaded
guilty to taking 20 wild birds’ eggs
on the Isle of Rum and being in
possession of various articles for
the purpose of committing wildlife
offences. He was sentenced to six
months’ imprisonment and received
his second ASBO, preventing him from
entering Scotland during the breeding
season indefinitely.
A Perthshire gamekeeper who killed a buzzard in a crow
trap was fined £450 after being told: “You did not act as
a reasonably competent gamekeeper”.
On 28 February 2011, Tayside Police responded to a report
that three crow traps had been found on the Glen Lyon Estate
in Perthshire, containing a dead buzzard, a dead sparrowhawk
and two chaffinches.
Rum deal for Gonshaw
In Legal Eagle 66 and 67, we reported
the conviction of Matthew Gonshaw,
49, of Cherrywood Close, Bow, London,
and subsequent first-ever wildlife crime
Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO).
It banned him from entering Scotland
during the bird breeding season
(1 February–31 August each year).
This investigation was triggered when
Gonshaw was caught on the Isle of
Rum, Scotland in June 2011. Charles
Everitt of the NWCU reports on the
Scottish end of the investigation.
Gamekeeper fined for trapping
and starving buzzard
PROSECUTIONS
PROSECUTIONS
Three sparrowhawks shot by pensioner
Guy Shorrock (RSPB)
Bedfordshire Police have cautioned an elderly pigeon
fancier after he admitted shooting three sparrowhawks
in Stotfold, Bedfordshire.
The man was arrested on 20 May 2012, in connection with
the shootings, and police seized an air weapon. The pigeon
fancier admitted he had shot the birds, and was given a
formal police caution.
A member of the public raised the alarm in February 2012
after spotting the first dead sparrowhawk. They alerted the
RSPB and Bedfordshire Police.
Sparrowhawk with prey
Out of the wilderness
persecution and disturbance of birds listed on Schedule 1
of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 within Devon.
A Devon and Cornwall police operation, Operation
Wilderness, successfully used covert cameras to catch
men disturbing peregrine nests. Wildlife Crime Officer,
PC Josh Marshall, explains:
“Operation Wilderness is a Devon and Cornwall police
operation, designed to address, target and disrupt
Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
Covert cameras were used
at peregrine nest sites
We placed covert wildlife cameras at the nest sites of
previously targeted species and of species we considered
vulnerable to persecution or disturbance. An important part
of the operation was to publicise that ten cameras were
being used throughout Dorset, to “sow a seed of doubt”
in the mind of those committing offences, and to capture
evidence. We did not advertise their precise location.
Within 48 hours of a camera being installed on the south
coast of Devon, it had captured images of two men
approaching a peregrine falcon nest site, one of whom had
a camera. It was obvious that their presence so close to the
nest site would cause disturbance to the birds. The birds at
the time of my second visit had been successful in laying a
single egg. From the footage, I was able to recognise one of
the offenders whilst the other was identified by a colleague.
Two men, aged 43 and 44, both from the Brixham area of
Devon, were arrested. We seized camera equipment and
discovered photographs of the nest site containing a
peregrine falcon egg on the camera. Both men received
an official caution.
I would like to thank the Devon Birdwatching and
Preservation Society for their kind assistance in funding
the cameras for this operation.”
A Staffordshire man who pleaded
guilty to two charges of possession of
wild birds’ eggs has had his conviction
overturned on appeal. Paul Edgley,
of Rugeley, was originally convicted
6
of possession of 48 wild birds’ eggs
and a further charge of possession of
a kingfisher egg, a Schedule 1 species,
at Burton Magistrates’ Court on 29
September 2011. A further charge of
possession of items capable of
being used to commit the offence
of disturbing Schedule 1 birds was
dismissed. See Legal Eagle 66 for
details of the original case.
“During Summer 2010, the UK Border
Agency informed me that they had
discovered a website called Global
Imports based in Glenrothes, Fife, and
on it, sharks’ jaws were offered for sale.
The owner of the site was Steven
Paterson and, among other things, he was
selling body parts of protected species
including whales, porpoises, turtles,
tortoises, sawfish and sharks. Article 10
certificates had not been applied for to
authorise the sale of the items.
During August, Fife Police and the
National Wildlife Crime Unit searched
Paterson’s house and found a house
full of animal artefacts, including more
than 5,000 sharks’ jaws. They also
recovered several items advertised on
the website, which included a pilot
whale skull (in the bedroom), and two
harbour porpoise skulls (on a shelving
unit and a display unit). They also
seized a green turtle taxidermy
specimen, sperm whale tooth, leopard
skin and claws, great white shark tooth
and elephant tusk along with
computers and documents.
The sharks’ jaws were sourced
legitimately in the Philippines, but the
protected species had come from
various sources in the UK and beyond.
During his interview, Paterson claimed
to have little understanding of CITES
regulations. However, Animal Health
revealed that he had previously applied
for two Article 10 certificates – which
had both been refused.
PC Ian Laing with a few of
the items recovered from
Steven Paterson
The recovered specimens that Paterson
offered for sale were forfeited by the
court and given to the NWCU to use
for educational purposes. They were
on display in the Partnership for Action
Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) caravan at
this year’s Royal Highland Show.”
Landmark case: farmers fined for
damage to protected woodland
Two North Wales farmers have been
fined a total of £6,030 for damaging
a highly protected wet woodland at
Llwyn, near Denbigh, North Wales.
The wet alder woodland is only one
of three in Wales. It is owned by the
Woodland Trust and is part of a
35-acre SSSI. It is also a Special Area
of Conservation (SAC) – one of only
12 woodlands in the UK to have
both designations.
Countryside Council for Wales
in 2011. After their initial interview,
they continued with work, including
importing sand and stone to raise up
the track from the swamp.
The men pleaded guilty to the damage
at an earlier hearing, but they contested
the fact that restoration to the woodland
was required to get it back to its original
state. After a two-day trial, the judge
granted a full restoration order.
The case was the first of its kind in
the UK to be prosecuted by the Crown
Prosecution Service (CPS). Investigating
officer Sgt Taylor said: “Thankfully cases
of this magnitude are rare, but the
awarding of the restoration order was
vital for the biodiversity of the site and
for its future integrity. This is a highly
protected woodland and it sends a clear
message to those seeking to gain from
its destruction.”
On 10 July, Edward Prys Jones, 37, of
Castle Park Farm, Ruthin, and John
Bryn Jones, 26, of Plas Einion, Llanfair
DC, near Ruthin pleaded guilty to third
party reckless damage of an SSSI under
Section 28 of the Wildlife and
Countryside Act 1981.
In late 2010, the farmers divided part of
the land in two and created an access
track straight through it. The work came
to the attention of the police and the
Rob Taylor N Wales police
Conviction overturned
On 10 May 2012, Steven Paterson, 48,
from Glenrothes was sentenced to a
Community Service Order of 160 hours,
after pleading guilty to various offences
of trading in endangered species,
including shark jaws. Charles Everitt,
NWCU officer reports.
Charles Everitt NWCU
Bedfordshire Wildlife Crime Officer, Inspector Tracey Day, said:
“Wildlife crime in Bedfordshire is taken seriously. The force
will continue to ensure that a positive approach is taken to
all matters reported that involve wildlife crime”.
First conviction
in Scotland for trading
endangered animal parts
Two farmers were fined £6,000 for
damaging a highly protected woodland
7
PROSECUTIONS
PROSECUTIONS
A Derbyshire man has been convicted for a string of
wildlife and bird welfare offences dating back to 2010.
He was found with 61 live birds, including various species
of parrot, and several dead birds. He admitted a lack of care
and causing unnecessary suffering, possession of traps and
items including a net for taking wild birds.
On 25 April, Malcolm Spencer, 67, of New Bolsover,
Derbyshire, was found guilty of 33 offences under the
Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Animal Welfare Act.
He was sentenced at North East Dales Magistrates’ Court
in Chesterfield to four months in prison suspended for two
years, disqualified from keeping avian species for 10 years
and was electronically tagged. He was ordered to pay
£2,461 costs.
Following an investigation by police and the Royal Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), Spencer
was found with 61 live birds. These included skylarks,
redstarts, yellowhammers, bramblings, bullfinches,
whitethroats, wheatears and mealy redpolls. Spencer set
traps to catch the wild birds at his allotment, tampered with
bird rings and kept the birds in poor conditions.
The court heard a number of parrots, including Timneh
African grey parrots and yellow crowned Amazon parrots,
were discovered living in his attic in dirty cages with
no water. Several dead birds, including a bullfinch,
were also discovered.
Poachers caught
on Wildlife Crime
training day
Spencer also admitted a lack of care and causing
unnecessary suffering; possession of the traps and various
tools; and a net and associated items for taking wild birds.
Two poachers were caught red-handed by a group
of 22 Wildlife Crime Officers on an NCWU training
day in Gloucestershire.
RSPCA inspector Carroll Lamport said: “This is a
horrendous, cruel trade that is not realised by the general
public. Many or most of these birds taken from the wild
will not survive in captivity and would be subjected both
to physical cruelty as in this case and mental cruelty in
the stress of being confined.
The police training group were en route to a badger sett
for some hands-on wildlife crime training when they came
across William Royles and Wayne Ingram. The men were
caught red-handed with dogs and ferrets, and had netted
a rabbit warren without the permission of the landowner.
On 24 May 2012, at Gloucester Magistrates’ Court, William
Royles, 27, of Walham, Sandhurst, Gloucestershire, pleaded
guilty to trespassing in pursuit of game contrary to Section
30 of the Game Act 1831. Co-accused, 18-year-old Wayne
Ingram of The Willows caravan site, Sandhurst, also admitted
the charge. Royles also pleaded guilty to being in breach of
a suspended prison sentence imposed for threatening words
and behaviour. Magistrates fined both men £100 and ordered
“This was a very difficult and time-consuming case and
I would like to thank Derbyshire police for their time and
manpower, without whom this case would have been
impossible to progress, in particular PC Adam Galley
in his wildlife officer role.”
Carroll Lamport, RSPCA
Illegal traps taken from
Spencer’s house
A McWilliam (NWCU)
Bolsover bird fancier avoids jail
Gloucestershire police who witnessed the
poaching during their training
them to pay £30 prosecution costs each. Royles’ existing
supervision order was extended by three months.
DI Sue Bradshaw of Gloucestershire Police said: "Little
did I know how successful this wildlife crime training
would be. You really couldn’t make this up. Now, that’s
what I call a result."
Museum rhino raid foiled
A failed attempt to steal a rhino horn
valued at approximately £240,000
from the Norwich Castle Museum
resulted in a custodial sentence
and probable deportation. Detective
Inspector Andy Ninman from Norfolk
police reports:
The museum contains a varied
collection of fine art, archaeology
and natural history. On 20 February
2012, a gang of four made for the
Natural History Galleries and forced
open a cabinet containing a black
rhinoceros head. They removed the
head and started making their way
to a waiting car. A party from the
University of Cambridge Zoology
Museum was also visiting the
museum, and they quickly raised the
alarm. A member of staff and one of
the visitors intervened, causing the
men to drop the head, and flee.
This particular crime helps feed
the market for rhino horn (used in
oriental medicines), which leads to
increased poaching. Since the theft,
the museum has replaced the rhino
horns with marked replicas. Norfolk
Police are continuing to investigate
the accomplices. A second man has
also been charged with attempted
theft of a rhino head and a third
man is on police bail.”
Norfolk Museums & Archaeology Service
“On 12 July 2012 at Norwich Crown
Court, Nihad Mahmod, 19, was found
guilty of attempting to steal a rhino
head from Norwich Castle Museum
and was sentenced to two and a half
years in prison.
Shortly after the alarm was raised,
a member of the public saw a man
remove a set of number plates from
a navy Renault Laguna, and reported
it to the police. The number plates
were recovered and revealed it
belonged to Nihad Mahmod, a failed
Iraqi asylum seeker who was living
rough in the London area. Mahmod
admitted his part in the attempt to
steal the rhino head.
Replica horns have now
been attached to the
black rhinoceros head
Birds held illegally and in poor conditions by Malcolm Spencer
8
9
PROSECUTIONS
NEWS
Ivan Peter Crane, previously convicted for the unlawful
use of a Larsen trap, has had his conviction overturned.
In Legal Eagle 67, we reported the conviction of Ivan Peter
Crane for the unlawful use of a Larsen trap. A previous
A Larsen trap unlawfully used by Crane
conviction in connection with a pole-trapping incident,
reported in Legal Eagle 65, meant that Crane was unable
to avail himself of the General Licences which allow the use
of such traps. However, during June 2011, two Larsen traps
were found in operation in his farm and in January 2012
Crane was convicted in respect of these. On 12 July 2012,
an appeal against sentence and conviction was heard at
Nottingham Crown Court. Following prosecution evidence
and legal arguments the appeal was allowed. The Judge
was critical of the police and CPS for bringing the
prosecution, suggesting that Crane should have
been given a warning.
Neil Hughes
We understand that there is still a requirement to obtain
an individual licence from Natural England (NE) if a person
has a relevant previous conviction which prevents them
from operating under the General Licences. Encouragingly,
NE has reported that, following the media coverage in
connection with this case, at least two individuals with
relevant convictions have contacted them asking for
specific licences to use cage traps.
Magistrates tearful at viewing
of horrific badger baiting video
Video footage of dog and badger fighting reduced two
magistrates to tears in three incidents of horrific animal
cruelty. Carroll Lamport, RSPCA Special Investigator, reports.
“On 22 May at Bradford Magistrates’ Court, Anthony Lee, 23,
of Coronation Way, Keighley, West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to
three counts of causing and taking part in animal fighting and
causing unnecessary suffering to the dogs. He was sentenced
to 26 weeks in prison and banned from keeping or caring for
any animals for the rest of his life, with
no appeal on this ban to be allowed
before 50 years.
Lee was one of four suspects visited
with a warrant by a joint police and
RSPCA team. Two bull lurcher dogs with
extensive facial and body scarring were
seized by police along with a number
of other evidential items. The dogs were
seen by a vet who stated that the injuries
could only have been caused by
prolonged contact with badgers.
Lee was not present at the time of the
warrant, but came in later the same day
to the police station in Keighley. He was
on a mobile phone as he walked in and
he was immediately arrested and the
phone seized. His vehicle was searched
but it had just been thoroughly cleaned
out and disinfected. He gave no
10
Buzzard and hen harrier by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
Crane conviction overturned
explanation for the horrific injuries to the dogs and
stated they had been inflicted before he got them.
I examined Lee’s mobile phone and computer. On them,
I found three short videos still in the recycle bin and these
showed both dogs being used in three separate badger
baiting incidents. It even identified the camera it was
taken on, and Lee’s voice could be heard in the
background urging the dogs on and laughing as
the dogs tore the badgers apart.
Images from
Lee’s mobile
phone
showing the
two lurchers
attacking a
badger
Defra needs to allocate resources towards preventing hen harrier extinctions, not buzzard control
Defra should target
hen harrier conservation,
not buzzards, says the RSPB
recovering across the UK – a fantastic
conservation success story.
This was a particularly upsetting case
due to the extensive injuries to the dogs
and the horrific savaging of the badgers.
When he was charged, the video was
played in court and two magistrates
were reduced to tears.
In May, the Government was forced to
make a U-turn on proposals to spend
£375,000 on trialling techniques
including the destruction of buzzard
nests and removing adult buzzards
from the wild.
The dogs were signed over just prior
to court. One of the dogs had been
pregnant when seized. She produced
nine puppies which were all re-homed,
but the two adult bull lurchers had to
be put down because of the obvious
risk in re-homing them.
The trial was proposed in response
to suggestions from some shooting
estates that buzzard predation
has a serious impact on young
pheasants, which are released
for recreational shooting.
An independent study found that,
on average, only 1–2% of released
pheasant chicks are taken by birds
of prey. In contrast, 45% were shot,
with the remainder dying as a result
of other factors, such as road
collision and disease, or surviving
to join the feral population. Therefore,
losses of pheasant chicks to birds of
prey are negligible.
Following decades of persecution,
the buzzard was eradicated from large
areas of Britain. Legal protection and
a general warming of attitudes
towards buzzards and other birds
of prey, on the part of many lowland
land managers, has led to buzzards
Much of the buzzard’s diet is made
up of small mammals, carrion and
invertebrates. The RSPB believes
potential conflicts on shooting estates
can be managed without destroying
nests or moving buzzards. Measures
include providing more cover for
My grateful thanks go to West
Yorkshire police and in particular
PC Richard Oddy.”
young pheasants in release pens,
visual deterrents to discourage
birds of prey, and providing
alternative food sources.
The RSPB’s Conservation Director
Martin Harper said: “I have never felt
such a palpable sense of anger from
the public as has been shown over the
Government’s plans. We welcome this
U-turn, but unless the unnecessary
killing of birds of prey ends, the threat
is still there. This whole episode has
been an unwanted distraction for
Defra, which should be targeting their
funding at those species – like hen
harriers – which are most in need.
The government must now direct
Natural England to refuse any licence
applications to kill birds of prey, from
shooting estates or anywhere else.”
11
NEWS
NEWS
A haulage company’s demolition work has destroyed a bat
roost in Penrith, contrary to the law and in contradiction of
conditions laid out in their planning consent.
On 16 August at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court, Thomas Dent, 48,
of Maiden Hill, Penrith, pleaded guilty to three offences under
the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010.
He was fined £7,500 with £85 costs and £15 victim surcharge.
An investigation was launched in January 2012 by
wildlife and environmental crime officers from Cumbria
Constabulary. They had received a report that a building had
been demolished to accommodate a wagon-washing facility
at Barbary Plains, Edenhall, Penrith.
The premises had only recently been purchased by Dent
Company, a local haulage business. Its chief executive officer
is Thomas Dent. The building contained three roosts used by
brown long-eared and pipistrelle bats.
An ecological survey had identified the roosts. Planning
permission was granted on condition that mitigation
Goshawks are continuing to have
a hard time in the Derwent Valley
measures and a compensation strategy were put in place
for bats. Dent was responsible for giving permission for the
demolition works without these mitigation measures being
put in place.
All bats and their roost are protected by law whether the roost
is occupied or not. There is a maximum punishment of two
years’ imprisonment and/or a maximum fine of £5,000 for
each offence under the Regulations.
Pete Charleston, Bat Conservation Trust Investigations Officer,
explains: “The law allows for building, development and
demolition to take place at bat roosts provided that the impact
on bats is minimised by following the certain conditions as set
out in a licence. If you plan works and follow the mitigation
measures as outlined in the licence, projects can run
smoothly. If you don’t, it is a serious offence. Bats are put at
risk with long-lasting consequences for bat populations.”
The Trust supported Cumbria Police and the CPS throughout
the investigation and praised the work of the CPS and the
police for their work.
Bat Conservation Trust
A brown long-eared bat roost was destroyed
Roy Mangernes (Wildphoto)
Bat roost demolition
costs company £7,500
Goshawk nest destroyed
The history of poor raptor breeding in the Derwent
Valley in the Peak District has continued in 2012 with
the discovery of a destroyed goshawk nest.
In April 2012, the RSPB Investigations team visited
an active goshawk nest in woodland in the Derwent
Valley, Derbyshire. We found evidence that someone
12
had climbed the tree and pushed out the nest with the
eggs found lying on the ground.
A media appeal was launched with a reward leading to
conviction. Overall, the season in the Derwent Valley has
been terrible, with no chicks surviving from any of the
peregrine, goshawk or buzzard nests.
13
NEWS
NEWS
Natural England (NE) has issued a guidance document:
Catching and releasing wild game birds: a legal summary.
The key legal considerations are outlined in the practice
of catching and releasing game birds as part of game bird
management in England.
Game birds are primarily covered by legislation other than the
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA), falling under other
laws such as the Game Act 1831, which makes taking certain
game birds outside the open season unlawful. Certain parts
of the WCA are relevant to game birds, in particular the section
which relates to the use of certain methods of killing and taking.
The list of prohibited methods includes traps, nets, any form of
artificial lighting, sound recordings and the use of mechanicallypropelled vehicles.
Certain exceptions apply to the prohibitions on methods
in Section 5, including “the use of a cage-trap or net for the
purpose of taking any game bird if it is shown that the taking
of the bird is solely for the purpose of breeding.” Catching
game birds outside the open season requires authorisation
under the Agriculture Act 1947.
Faced with this situation, Network Rail chose wisely to
delay works – an action that showed the clearance had
not been emergency works.
Hot on the heels of this case came news of others in
London. Planned works were stopped in Dalston, and
in Islington large areas of rail-side scrub were removed.
The issue hit the national media, and even featured as
a debate in the Houses of Parliament.
The RSPB played an integral role by undertaking a bird
survey. It indicated the area contained breeding birds, and
their nests would have been illegally damaged or destroyed
had the works continued.
We’d like to thank the British Transport Police for their
co-operation, and we look forward to an effective
dialogue with Network Rail to bring this avoidable
situation to a positive outcome.
Dorset Police has warned a retired gamekeeper about his
trapping activities, after he was filmed by the RSPB in May
2011 attending to a spring trap, which had previously been
set on the ground in the open.
The trap was set in a pheasant pen, next to a woodpigeon
bait which had been staked to the ground. The RSPB
concluded that it had probably been set to catch a
buzzard due to the construction of a nearby perch
and the circumstances under which it was found.
Surrey police have been involved in investigating the case.
Dorset Police gave the man a warning – the decision
not to prosecute was based on his age and personal
circumstances.
Martin Willing
14
caught with two bagfuls, possibly weighing 15kg. If French
restaurants are willing to pay up to £1 a snail, as claimed
by the conservationists, then a 15kg haul could be worth
£400. WoodChip Conservation member, Mr Keay said:
“They are very big and on the continent they are the one
species that the continentals love eating. So we have very
good populations, whereas in their natural countryside in
France, Germany, Italy, Spain, they’ve been eaten out.”
Roman snails were added to Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and
Countryside Act in April 2008. It is illegal to
intentionally kill, handle, possess or sell
without a licence from NE. Thought to have
been introduced by the Romans, these are the
largest UK snail species, measuring over 10 cm in
length and living up to 20 years. They are only found
on well drained lime-rich soils, either chalk or
limestone, and they live in relatively undisturbed
grassy or scrubby habitats.
Enquiries indicated the clearance was planned and that
part of the site, including numerous trees and bushes, had
already been destroyed. A local community action group
quickly formed, opposing Network Rail at every stage.
Credit
Volunteers at WoodChip
Conservation have been
patrolling the 160-acre
woodland site in Surrey
to try to prevent
further poaching.
One person was
In May 2012, the RSPB was informed of vegetation clearance
by Network Rail along a section of railway line at Whitstable,
Kent. This type of work is unacceptable during the bird
breeding season, when active nests are prone to destruction.
The only exception is in situations of genuine emergency.
Gamekeeper
warned over trap
L’escar... gone!
Conservationists in Banstead Woods, Surrey, fear that
the Roman snail could soon be wiped out after 70% of the
population has disappeared over the last two years, allegedly
to supply the French restaurant market.
Network Rail’s non-urgent programme of vegetation
clearance during the bird breeding season was postponed
following action from the RSPB and a local community
action group.
On 28 May 2012, the situation came to a head. When
Network Rail turned up to finish the works they were met
by protesters (some of whom chained themselves to the
trees), officers from British Transport Police and Kent
Constabulary, as well as a Channel 4 News crew.
In recent years, it appears there has been a practice,
on a number of shooting estates, to catch grouse in
order to administer medicines to reduce the prevalence of
a parasitic infection known as strongylosis. This has typically
involved the use of mechanically-propelled vehicles, lamps
and sound recordings – activities prohibited under the WCA.
NE guidance helps to clarify the situation and states that a
licence should be applied for to undertake these activities. Visit
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/970476
for guidance documents.
Save Railside Trees website
Network Rail
off the tracks?
Natural England issues game advice
Spring traps are lawful if they are placed in tunnels
used to trap small mammals, such as stoats and weasels.
It is illegal to place them where they are likely to cause
harm to a wild bird.
Gamekeeper caught by RSPB surveillance
at site of illegally set spring trap
15
NEWS
INTERNATIONAL
WCO Sgt Ian Guildford has retired after 33 years with the
South Wales Police, the last nine on secondment to
Countryside Council for Wales (CCW).
Police forces across the UK, the Border
Force and the Animal Health and
Veterinary Laboratory Agency (AHVLA)
all played a part in the recent Interpol
operation known as Operation Cage to
target the trade in illegal wildlife. More
than 8,700 birds and other animals,
including reptiles, mammals and
insects were seized and nearly 4,000
people arrested across 32 countries.
Ian started as a WCO back in 1991, but his involvement
increased following a major wildlife investigation with the
RSPB in 1996, Operation Folkestone. This resulted in two men
being convicted for the laundering of a number of wild taken
birds of prey including goshawks, red kites and merlins. DNA
profiling was used to discredit captive breeding claims.
In 1997, Ian became the first winner of Wildlife Enforcer of the
Year, shared jointly with Charles McKay of customs. In 2003,
Ian was seconded to CCW and has spent the last nine years
as a full-time WCO. Some of Ian’s cases have been very
interesting. For instance, he was responsible for the first
conviction of a pigeon racer for the attempted poisoning of a
peregrine and a successful case against a local authority
relating to dormice. A CITES case involved the attempted sale
of a sturgeon, which ended when the defence produced a fax
on behalf of the Queen who, after being offered the “royal
fish”, declined it and said the fisherman could do what he
liked with it. He worked on third party damage on a
geological SSSI for the theft of fossilised dinosaur footprints
Madeleine at the opening of
the Quarantine House at Kew
and their subsequent sale across the world. He even
investigated an escaped kangaroo. It turned out to be a fox
with mange.
Ian’s only failing appears to be his choice of West Ham as
his football team!
The RSPB has worked with Ian on many cases and has
always been impressed by his hard work and
commitment. We would like to express our thanks and
wish Ian, his wife Lisa and their five children all the best
for the future.
Madeleine’s
Big Event
Madeleine Groves from the Conventions and Policy Section
of Kew Gardens has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s
Birthday Honours List for her work in CITES enforcement
and training.
Madeleine will be well known to many in wildlife enforcement
and is a regular attendee at the Wildlife Enforcers’ annual
conference. After graduating from the 1991 Kew Diploma
course, Madeleine has become one of the leading figures
in CITES enforcement and capacity building for plants.
Kew Gardens
Madeleine has been at the heart of pushing plants
onto the enforcement agenda and the RSPB would
also like to congratulate her for the much deserved
recognition she has received.
The operation saw police, customs and
wildlife enforcement authorities in all
32 countries carrying out thousands of
checks at ports, airports, markets, pet
stores and taxidermists. Operation Cage
was the third operation co-ordinated by
Interpol to target the growing trade in
illegal wildlife. The operation ran from
April to June 2012 and focused on
illegal trade and exploitation of birds
and their products.
In the UK, efforts were concentrated
on the illegal trade in birds of prey.
26 inspections were conducted by the
UK Border Force and Animal Health
and Veterinary Laboratories Agency.
As a result, police forces, supported
by the NWCU, are involved in 14
investigations. Five people have been
arrested to date, two people convicted
and there are several pending court
cases. NWCU head, Nevin Hunter, has
advised that work is ongoing and that
there may be further investigations.
The Association of Chief Police
Officers lead on Wildlife Crime, Chief
Constable Stuart Hyde of Cumbria
Police, praised the organisations
involved in Operation Cage in the
UK saying: “This is an example of UK
Law Enforcement working together to
target international wildlife crimes. By
contributing effort from across the UK
and linking in with Interpol we have
been able to start the process to bring
people to justice for breaking national
and international conventions”.
More than 2,000 birds were
seized during Operation Cage
Wildlife forensics in Asia
RSPB Senior Investigations Officer, Guy Shorrock,
reports on a Wildlife Forensics Seminar in Bangkok.
“South-East Asia is a key battleground in the fight against
illegal trafficking of the world’s most endangered species.
It is a consumer and supplier of items from tiger products
to tropical hardwoods. South-East Asia is also a transit point,
for example for poached rhino horn smuggled from Africa
to China and Vietnam.
In 2009, TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network created a project
in partnership with TRAFFIC East Asia, which formed a Wildlife
Forensic Network to support the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations – Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN).
It was funded by the UK Darwin Initiative, supported by the
Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.
The project examined the existing capacity and needs for
identifying traded wildlife, before implementing a training
programme for enforcement and scientific officers. It has
helped set up and improve wildlife DNA forensics testing
facilities in several Asian countries, and provided training for
the collection of evidence by the law enforcement agencies.
The seminar represented the culmination of the project
with over 170 attendees. It brought together key ASEAN
and international wildlife forensic experts, with experienced
practitioners from the UK and USA. The RSPB has had a
long involvement in the use of forensics techniques in
investigating wildlife crime, and has been involved with
the PAW Forensics Working Group since its inception.
I was asked to give a presentation on the range of
forensic methods used in the UK.
Illegal wildlife trade is a huge problem in the region and
wildlife forensics, particularly DNA testing, will have an
increasing part to play. The impact that even small UK
funded projects can potentially achieve, when driven by
committed individuals at tiny organisations like TRACE,
is astonishing. This should give hope to us all of what could
be achieved, if governments could make the necessary
commitments of political will and necessary resources.”
Guy Shorrock (RSPB)
Working closely with the UK Border Force, she has trained
large numbers of UK police, customs officers and wildlife
inspectors. She has produced specialist training materials
which are used by CITES Parties across the globe and
contributed to the PAW Forensic Working Group. Outside the
UK she has run training courses for EU countries and worked
with some of the world’s major plant exporters. She has
represented the UK CITES Scientific Authority on government
delegations and has represented the EU in Latin America
relating to trade in mahogany.
16
Operation Cage leads
to thousands of arrests
Courtesy of Interpol
Ian Guildford
(right) receiving
RSPB thanks
C Everitt (NWCU)
Welsh wizard
ends his spell
Training in
Bangkok for
collection of
wildlife forensic
samples.
17
INTERNATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL
The birds settled in the area in early 2011, and were
released in Killarney National Park, County Kerry, as
part of the Irish reintroduction programme managed by the
Golden Eagle Trust. The breeding pair, a four-year-old male
and three-year-old female, were collected in 2008 and 2009
respectively on the island of Frøya off the west coast of
Norway. White-tailed eagles are fully mature and usually
begin to breed at five years of age, but birds in Scotland
have very occasionally bred as early as three.
Because they are so young, a successful nesting attempt
was thought unlikely, and it was no surprise that the birds’
nesting attempt failed during incubation. There are high
hopes that they will try again next year and rear the first
Irish-bred sea eagles for over 100 years.
However, the poisoning of two more white-tailed eagles
in Mayo and Donegal in the spring has cast a cloud over
these momentous events. A bird carrying a satellite tag
was found dead on the shores of Lough Beltra in County
Mayo. Post-mortem results showed that the eagle had a
high concentration of poison in its body, and it had also
Despite persecution,
white-tailed eagles
are breeding in
County Clare
been shot at some time in
the past, as shotgun pellets
were found in its body.
Post-mortem results from
the other sea eagle, found
dead in the Blue Stack mountains in Donegal, showed that
it had also been poisoned. The National Parks and Wildlife
Service are investigating the killings.
CABS bird guards release ortolans.
Imperial eagles still
French authorities accused of
tolerating illegal bunting hunting
– and campaigners are at risk
under threat in Bulgaria
During 2012, two Eastern imperial eagle nests were robbed in the Sakar mountains in Bulgaria.
This species is globally declining and classified as vulnerable. Bulgaria has a fragile population
of around 25 pairs.
The species is the subject of specialised conservation projects implemented by the
Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) including activities like nest
guarding, public awareness campaigns, and development of agri-environmental
schemes. Even with all these long-term conservation efforts, there are very
disturbing signs in the recent years of uprising illegal activities.
Following advice from the RSPB, the Bulgarian Authorities
have circulated details to other EU Member States,
in case there are any unusual captive breeding
claims of this species.
18
S.Spasov www.NatureImages.eu
During 2010, two nests, one of which was guarded, were robbed in the area
of the Sakar mountains, in south east Bulgaria. This year eggs were taken
from two nests in the same region. The eggs were well developed and
there are concerns they may have been taken for incubation and
subsequent laundering of young birds into the captive market.
Two nests of imperial eagles
were robbed in Bulgaria.
CABS
A pair of white-tailed eagles has bred near Mountshannon,
County Clare, this year. This is the first documented nesting
attempt for the species in Ireland in more than a century,
but there is a background of persecution.
Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
Mixed fortunes for Irish
white-tailed eagles
French enforcement authorities are turning a blind eye to
illegal bird trapping, claims the Committee Against Bird
Slaughter (CABS). The team were investigating the practice
of trapping migrating ortolans, a species of bunting, which
are prized as a delicacy in France. Ortolans have been fully
protected in France since 1999.
as they pass through south-western France. Trapped
birds are fattened on millet, drowned in Armagnac,
then plucked, roasted and eaten whole, normally while
diners drape a linen napkin over their head to preserve
the flavour. Ortolan populations have declined across
much of their European range.
During their operation, German-based CABS found 27
active trapping installations and 679 cage traps. They
also released 80 freshly-caught birds.
Andrea Rutigliano of CABS said: “Our results show that
ortolans are still being trapped and the authorities do
practically nothing to combat this illegal practice.”
Campaigners complained that their team members were
shot, sprinkled with urine and had their tyres slashed by local
hunters – but that the police offered them no protection. They
were even instructed to leave the area by the local prefect,
because their safety couldn’t be guaranteed.
The CABS team were investigating the practice
in late August 2012 in the Département des Landes
in south-west France.
Ortolans breed in Western Europe and migrate to
Africa for the winter. They are caught in large numbers
CABS is sending a report on their findings to the European
Commission and have posted a video of their operation at
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG65CecKSNc&feature=youtu.be
19
AND FINALLY…
LEGAL EAGLE
Alan is back!
THE RSPB’S INVESTIGATIONS NEWSLETTER
We reported in Legal Eagle 65
that ex South Yorkshire WCO Sgt
Alan Firth had retired, and was
looking for a quiet life watching
Sheffield Wednesday. However,
now we can announce he has
been resurrected as the new
RSPB Investigations Officer in
Northern England. Alan started
in July 2012 and brings with him
a wealth of experience from
15 years as a WCO, particularly
in relation to matters in the
Peak District. We wish Alan well,
and he can be contacted on
07900 678925.
OCTOBER 2012 No 68
S Mäkitalo
Alan Firth relaxing in his garden
PAW
PAW is The Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime,
a multi-agency body comprising representatives of the
organisations involved in wildlife law enforcement in
the UK. It provides opportunities for statutory and
non-governmental organisations to work together to
combat wildlife crime. Its main objective is 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 Border Agency.
Please visit www.defra.gov.uk/paw for more information.
Write to be read
We 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 e-mail to vicki.blair@rspb.org.uk or by fax to 01767 693078. The views
expressed in Legal Eagle are not necessarily those of the RSPB or PAW.
The RSPB
UK Headquarters
The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL
Tel: 01767 680551
Northern Ireland Headquarters
Belvoir Park Forest, Belfast BT8 7QT
Tel: 028 9049 1547
We belong to BirdLife International, the global
partnership of bird conservation organisations.
Scotland Headquarters
2 Lochside View,
Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh EH12 9DH
Tel: 0131 317 4100
Wales Headquarters
Sutherland House, Castlebridge,
Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF11 9AB
Tel: 029 2035 3000
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
(RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales
no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654. 232-0409-11-12
www.rspb.org.uk
The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling
the problems that threaten our environment.
Nature is amazing – help us keep it that way.
SOWING THE SEED
There has been a substantial seizure of birds’ eggs in Scandinavia
after a UK investigation into their illegal trade.
For more information on wild birds and the law, visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdlaw
W L O
IN THIS ISSUE: Suspended sentence not imposed on re-offender • Landmark
case: two farmers fined for damaging protected woodland • Magistrates
weep at badger baiting video • New DNA method used effectively in court