Latest news with #wildlifecrime
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
Police bust imported cockfighting ring worth RM4.7m in major Sabah raid
KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — A police raid in Papar, Sabah has uncovered a large cache of 936 fighting cocks believed to be imported from the Philippines, as authorities intensify their crackdown on illegal cockfighting. The operation, led by the Wildlife Crime Bureau and several local agencies, took place at a remote location in Kampung Kambizaan on July 25, the Royal Malaysia Police's (PDRM) Department of Internal Security and Public Order said. Three men — a Malaysian, an Indonesian, and a Filipino — were arrested during the raid and are being investigated under local animal import laws. Items seized included vitamin bottles, syringes, and over 100 bird-tagging rings, indicating the birds were being prepared for organised fighting events. The department said the seizure, worth RM4.68 million, is one of the largest of its kind in the state this year. Authorities suspect the site was used to rear fighting birds for underground betting syndicates. The use of unlicensed foreign animals poses a risk to public health and contributes to illegal gambling. The raid forms part of Operasi Bersepadu Khazanah (OBK), aimed at curbing wildlife crime and smuggling. Between January and July, PDRM conducted 179 raids and arrested 314 individuals in similar operations nationwide. Police say they will continue to intensify intelligence-led raids to protect public safety and wildlife.
CTV News
6 days ago
- CTV News
Man who led illegal duck hunting trips to B.C. pleads guilty in U.S., faces US$175K fine
A Washington state resident and his company have admitted in U.S. court to illegally leading duck hunting trips into British Columbia, where he was not allowed to operate as a guide. Branden Trager and his company Mayhem Services LLC now face a recommended total of US$175,000 in fines for related crimes they also admitted committing. The Brush Prairie, Wash., resident and the company pleaded guilty Monday in a U.S. court to violating the Lacey Act, a U.S. federal law that prohibits the trade and transport of wildlife taken in violation of domestic or foreign law. 'In pleading guilty, Trager admitted he and Mayhem Services violated the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) during a January 2023 hunting trip in western Washington and then transported the taken birds in violation of the Lacey Act,' the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release Tuesday. 'Trager also acknowledged that in 2022 he brought hunters into British Columbia, Canada, where he guided waterfowl hunting trips targeting the harlequin duck. He could not operate as a hunting guide under Canadian law.' According to the department, the harlequin duck ranges from Alaska to California and is prized by hunters as a trophy and as part of a challenge to hunt 41 species of North American waterfowl. Washington state closed harlequin hunting for the 2022-23 season, but limited hunting remained open in B.C., the department said. The plea agreements filed in court recommend fines of $100,000 for Trager and $75,000 for his company. A sentencing in the matter is scheduled for Oct. 16. When it first announced the charges in January, the department alleged Trager had not only violated the MBTA and the Lacey Act, but also conspired with an unnamed, B.C.-based taxidermist to send the birds back to the United States. The latest release from the Department of Justice makes no mention of the conspiracy charge, suggesting that it may have been dropped. CTV News has reached out to the department for more information on what happened to that allegation. This story will be updated if a response is received. According to the department, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement led the investigation, with help from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Homeland Security Investigations.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Daily Mail
CCTV released after baby seagulls attacked and killed with an umbrella
Police are hunting a man after baby seagulls were allegedly killed with an umbrella on the roof of a shopping centre. Officers received reports of a man attacking the seagull chicks above the Corridor shopping centre in Bath on Tuesday July 15. A CCTV image of a man has been released as the force continues to investigate. They are looking for a black, middle aged man of slim build. He was wearing a checked shirt and was seen carrying a blue bag at around 4.50pm. A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: 'We are appealing for help to identify the man in this CCTV image who we would like to speak to in connection with reported attacks on seagulls in Bath city centre. 'A man was reported for attacking and killing baby seagulls with an umbrella on the roof of the Corridor shopping centre at around 4.50pm on Tuesday 15 July. 'We would like to speak to a man who is described as black, middle aged, of slim build, and who was wearing a checked shirt and carrying a blue bag at the time of the incident. 'If anybody has any information about the incident, or who may know who this man is, is asked to contact us.'
The Independent
15-07-2025
- The Independent
Inside the bizarre and growing world of plant theft
More than 180 plants were stolen from a well-loved public park in Nottingham called Arboretum in May 2025. This incident took place just days after volunteers had replanted flowers and shrubs to repair damage from a previous theft in March. In April 2025, the nearby Forest Recreation Ground community garden was also targeted – roses and crops grown by volunteers were stolen, and even a pond went missing. Plant theft may seem trivial, but environmental and wildlife crime tend to be overlooked. This is precisely one of the reasons why it is on the rise. Research suggests an annual growth rate in environmental crime of 5 to 7 per cent, making it the third largest criminal sector in the world. Globally, environmental crime has been valued at US$70-213 billion (£52-158 billion) annually. As with most crime, its true scale is difficult to estimate as it remains hidden. This is even more true for environmental crime that goes undetected. Plant thefts in Nottingham, where I am based, are small in comparison, but they tell the same story of lucrative illicit opportunities for criminals where law enforcement and potential sanctions are low. It's most likely that people steal local plants to sell on for profit. People may be more likely to care about mammals such as elephants targeted in the illegal ivory trade (AFP via Getty Images) Another reason for overlooking this growing trend in wildlife crime is that perpetrators, as well as much of society, may feel that this is a 'victimless crime'. Where plants, animals, watercourses or soil are 'the victim', people don't feel as strongly because our ethics and value systems generally prioritise fellow humans and do not recognise non-humans as victims. People may be more likely to care about mammals such as elephants targeted in illegal ivory trade, but environmental crime permeates every community in the UK, as the recent Nottingham cases indicate. Stolen benefits As a researcher in environmental sociology, I believe wildlife crime and environmental damage should gain higher priority in terms of public attention, law enforcement and potential sanctions. Not only because of the intrinsic value that non-human nature has in its own right, but because of the value nature brings to us humans. Parks and green spaces known as 'green infrastructure' are central to our well-being in cities. They bring environmental and social benefits in terms of air quality, urban heat island effect, surface flooding, carbon storage, biodiversity and health. After the COVID pandemic, the importance of accessing quality green spaces for our mental and physical wellbeing became even more apparent. Visits to parks can reduce loneliness and anxiety, as well as foster a sense of belonging and community. This has the potential to benefit the public purse too. Nottingham is currently involved in a national green social prescribing test and learn programme to demonstrate the benefits of nature-based activity. Public parks are often also significant in terms of cultural heritage. This is not a new discovery. Historically, public parks were introduced in cities to improve living conditions, quality of life and as educational resources. The Arboretum – the city centre park recently targeted by thieves - was the first such public park to open in Nottingham in 1845. Visits to parks can reduce loneliness and anxiety (PA) When valued green spaces are the victim of crime, this is not a mere aesthetic problem. Wider social and environmental harms are inflicted upon communities and nature that depend on open green spaces to thrive. This matters in cities like Nottingham that suffer from high levels of deprivation and poor health outcomes. My own research has shown that while Nottingham is often celebrated for leadership in green initiatives, it suffers from deep-seated social inequality and deprivation that are long-term challenges. Social inequality is associated with crime and disorder in urban areas, which creates a vicious cycle when the crimes target community assets such as public parks. It is beyond doubt that public parks being ransacked will negatively impact the quality of life in Nottingham. It is likely that these crimes get dismissed as a minor nuisance because 'only plants' were stolen, but this attitude serves to mask the broader trend of growing environmental crime and the damage this brings to communities. Unfortunately, this will further contribute to the likelihood of such crimes spreading in future. Jenni Cauvain is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Nottingham Trent University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .
BBC News
15-07-2025
- BBC News
Kent Police in summer holiday warning to parents over catapults
Schools in Kent have received a letter from police, asking them to warn parents about catapult letter said there had been an increase in the weapons being used to harm or kill wildlife and damage property, "possibly in response to social media".It said catapults can be handed in to local beat officers.A wildlife campaigner has asked police in Surrey and Sussex to send similar letters. In the letter Kent Police said: "While carrying a catapult is not a criminal offence, its use may lead to criminal liability", and said parents should "dissuade" children from leaving home with a June Spelthorne Borough Council in Surrey introduced a public space protection order, with anyone caught carrying a catapult facing a fine. "Foreign students are being attacked with catapults"Catapult attack sparks increase in foot patrolsCalls for catapult law to tackle wildlife crime Insp Joe Breen of Kent Police said: "The use of catapults to harm wildlife and cause criminal damage is a national issue that has also been reported in Kent, and we are keen to ensure children and their parents are aware of the risk."We are grateful to everyone who heeds our advice, which forms part of our overall approach to tackling offences involving catapults that can also include seizing items and making arrests." Danni Rogers, from Camberley, a volunteer at Shepperton Swan Sanctuary, has been trying since January 2024 to have the act of carrying a catapult in public campaign began after dealing with dead or injured birds, and he has written to the forces of Sussex and Surrey, asking them to follow Kent's said: "Kent has been one of the hot spots in the last 18 months so it's good to see proaction rather than reaction."To get the kids talking about it and know the laws, they will approach an adult or authority and report those who have decided to use catapults." Sussex Police said it recognised "the impact to our communities and wildlife through dangerous use of catapults".It said: "The number of incidents where a catapult is used to harm wildlife is low in Sussex, however we work in partnership with other forces to support initiatives that further reduce this type of crime."We also encourage parents to speak with their children about these issues."In a statement Surrey Police said: "Offences involving catapults tend to be under reported and we would encourage reports of offences and even persons carrying catapults as it helps build up a picture."The local team will increase patrols where peak time or days are identified."
