Wildlife Crime Enforcement and Animal Welfare

Wildlife crime including poaching, trafficking and persecution causes immense animal suffering and requires coordinated enforcement responses at national and international levels.

Key Facts

Wildlife trafficking is estimated to be worth 7-23 billion dollars annually — the fourth largest criminal enterprise globally
UK wildlife crime includes raptor persecution, badger baiting, hare coursing and illegal wildlife trade
Wildlife crime officers in UK police forces number approximately 250, often working as secondary duties alongside other roles
INTERPOL coordinates international wildlife crime operations through its Wildlife Crime Working Group
The UK Centre for Wildlife Law has documented increasing enforcement activity and prosecutions in recent years

Welfare Considerations

Wildlife crime causes welfare harm of both acute and chronic severity. Animals caught in illegal traps or snares may die slowly over hours or days. Animals trafficked in the illegal wildlife trade experience capture trauma, transport stress and often die before reaching buyers. Badgers subjected to illegal baiting are tormented by dogs in a prolonged and deliberately cruel practice. Raptors poisoned or trapped die from the effects of neurotoxins or extended restraint. The enforcement response to these crimes is critically under-resourced relative to the scale of the problem. Public reporting, dedicated enforcement resources, and cross-border cooperation are all essential components of an effective response.

What You Can Do

Report suspected wildlife crimes to police on 101 or RSPCA 0300 1234 999
Support Wildlife Crime Officers through donations to police wildlife crime units
Advocate for dedicated full-time Wildlife Crime Officer roles rather than secondary duty assignments
Support CITES enforcement and international wildlife trafficking investigations through conservation organization donations