New “Birdcrime report” exposes how Northern Ireland’s birds of victim types are under risk, from crooks who unlawfully target and eliminate them.

• Birds of victim are being shot and poisoned, with 30 verified occurrences of raptor criminal offense in Northern Ireland in between 2016 and 2020 including 26 birds
• A RSPB NI examinations officer is dealing with partners to help spot and capture those performing bird of prey-related criminal offenses in Northern Ireland
• Public can play a part by reporting believed criminal offenses versus birds of victim

RSPB have actually utilized a devoted examinations officer, to work together with police and other partners to spot and examine these criminal offenses. Together, over the last 12 months, they have actually combed through collections of information, to comprehend more about raptor persecution in Northern Ireland.

All wild birds are secured by law in Northern Ireland under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. Regretfully, prohibited shooting, trapping, poisoning and damage of nests, continues to threaten a few of the nation’s most renowned and susceptible types. These consist of red kites and peregrines.

RSPB NI Investigations Officer Dean Jones came on board in 2021 to work along with the statutory companies and other partners, from the Cops Service of Northern Ireland to the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Hall. Dean’s work includes recording and following up wildlife criminal offense occurrences, in addition to being the point of contact for the general public. His consultation marks a substantial action towards recognizing and dealing with raptor persecution in Northern Ireland.

The RSPB’s Birdcrime report, released today, exposes simply one verified event in Northern Ireland in 2021– however a lot more will have unquestionably gone unnoticed and unreported. The overall variety of verified occurrences for the UK is 108.

It is thought the single raptor persecution event in Northern Ireland throughout 2021 shows the low detection rate and highlights the requirement for increased awareness and reporting of possible criminal offenses.

RSPB information reveals that in between 2016 and 2020, there were 30 verified occurrences in Northern Ireland including 26 birds. Poisoning continues to be the dominating approach, including over half these occurrences (16 ), followed by shooting (11 occurrences).

Mark Thomas, RSPB Head of Investigations UK, stated: “The addition of Dean to our UK group is currently assisting us comprehend more about the effect of wildlife criminal offense on a few of Northern Ireland’s concern raptor types, such as red kites and peregrines, which everybody ought to have the enjoyment of seeing and delighting in. This extra resource will likewise allow increased tracking of hen harriers, a types which has actually gone through a stable decrease in reproducing numbers in Northern Ireland over the last couple of years.

Dean Jones, RSPB NI Investigations Officer, stated: “You, the diligent public, have a crucial function to play in assisting keep our birds of victim safe. If you see a dead or passing away bird of victim in suspicious situations, please report it to the cops and myself at the RSPB. Email [email protected] and I will get your demand and return to you. If you wish to stay confidential, you can likewise call the unique Raptor Criminal offense Hotline on 0300 999 0101. Your proof might be essential in assisting us capturing wildlife crooks.”

More info about what and how to report a possible raptor criminal offense can be discovered online: www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/wildlife-and-the-law/wild-bird-crime