Breaking

UK law enforcement must do more to tackle the illicit financial aspects of global illegal wildlife trade, finds RUSI report

Haul of animal poaching and hunting equipment seized at North East properties

Gamekeeper fined after trapped sparrowhawk starved to death in freezing weather

Rising reports of wildlife crimes during the pandemic spark fresh fears for beloved species

Dumfries and Galloway: Four men charged in connection with wildlife crime offences

Headcorn man given £1,600 fine after destroying protected habitat for bats and newts

Police Scotland’s wildlife campaign moves forward into final phase

Police confirm Peregrine Falcon poisoned in Belfast

Restorative justice used following tree felling incident which led to destruction of bird nest

Campaign urging people to be responsible around coastal wildlife launched by RSPCA and Police

Operation Visualise - New lead for Cyber Crime Priority Delivery Group Makes Instant Impact

Derbyshire Man Sentenced for the Illegal Trade in Protected Species

Bat Conservation Trust outline threats to bats from 'Urban Exploring' trend

Peregrine falcons dead after killers smear pigeons with poison as bait at Shropshire beauty spot

Rathfriland man accused of 'baiting badgers' is jailed

Officers are continuing enquiries into the poisoning of a bird of prey found dead near to Crathie in Aberdeenshire

NWCU are recruiting a new Investigative Support Officer for England & Wales

Police Scotland launch forth phase of year-long wildlife crime campaign focusing on Raptor Persecution

PAW Forensic Working Group launch new video guide - handling suspected poisoned baits & victims

Durham Police Operation targets Raptor Poisoning


Bat Crime

sopranopipistrellebat16d

Bats play an important role in many environments around the world. In the UK, some bats are ‘indicator species’, because changes to these bat populations can indicate changes in aspects of biodiversity. Bats might suffer when there are problems with insect populations (because our bats feed on insects) or when habitats are destroyed or poorly managed (for example, some bats only live in large woodlands).

While some people think bats are pests, some bats are actually pest controllers eating thousands of insects every night. UK bats won’t bite you or suck your blood – but they will help clear the air of bloodsucking insects!

All bats in the UK are insectivores – they only eat insects. Insect-eating bats are great for keeping bugs away from crops, as well as the places where the bats roost.

Pipistrelle batSadly, many bat species around the world are vulnerable or endangered due to factors ranging from loss and fragmentation of habitat, diminished food supply, destruction of roosts, disease and hunting or killing of bats.

In the UK, bat populations have declined considerably over the last century. Bats are still under threat from building and development work that affects roosts, loss of habitat, the severing of commuting routes by roads and threats in the home including cat attacks, flypaper and some chemical treatments of building materials. Other potential threats can include wind turbines and lighting if they are sited on key bat habitat on near roosts.

Information taken from BCT website

To read all about the work of the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) click here

Bat Persecution Priority Delivery Group newsletter

Inspired by colleagues in both the badger and poaching wildlife crime priority delivery groups the bat priority group decided to produce bat-crime newsletters on an occasional basis. The newsletters are intended to bring news as demand dictates and include information relating to recent investigations, prosecutions and other outcomes along with other information that hopefully will be of interest. The newsletter is produced by Pete Charleston, Investigations Officer, Bat Conservation Trust on behalf of the bat Priority Delivery Group:

Bat PDG newsletter – issue 3 – June 2016

Bat PDG newsletter – issue 2 – Nov 2015

Bat PDG newsletter – issue 1 – April 2015