An Inverness man was fined £750 for keeping parts of protected species for sale at Inverness Sheriff Court on Monday 19th February 2018.  Gordon Taylor ran an on-line business under the name “Wild Wizard Crafts” selling products for the shaman and pagan market from an address in Leyton Drive, Inverness.  On 4 November 2015, the premises was searched under warrant by Police Scotland officers, assisted by the National Wildlife Crime Unit and a Wildlife Inspector from Animal & Plant Health Agency.  The search revealed a small workshop within a cupboard and quantity of items containing bird derivatives.  11 of these items contained parts of protected species including buzzard, barn owl and tawny owl, carrying a possible sales value of £695, for which the court also issued a forfeiture order.

The Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997 prohibit the sale of certain species of bird or their derivatives.  The highest category of protection under this legislation is afforded to Annex A species which are considered threatened by extinction due to trade.  All Scotland’s raptors fall into this category, including buzzards, barn owls and tawny owls.

Head of the National Wildlife Crime Unit, Chief Inspector Lou Hubble, said, “There is a world-wide campaign to stop the illegal trade in endangered species – a trade which can have an enormous impact on animals living in the wild.  Legislation exists to protect those species.  Members of the public should understand that some of the UK’s iconic wildlife is protected by this legislation and need to ensure trading in any animal parts or derivatives is lawful.”