NPWS sought 42 prosecutions this year in crackdown on wildlife crime
Founder Week With At Kildare Rescue Of Last Wildlife Centre Donnelly The Malcolm Minister Noonan Dan Heritage Michael Picture: Donoher
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has sent 42 suspected wildlife crime cases to the Chief State Solicitor’s office for investigation so far this year, according to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The figures were released as Malcolm Noonan, the minister of state with responsibility for Heritage said his department continues to “vigorously enforce wildlife legislation”.
The Wildlife Act makes it a crime to knowingly injure a protected wildlife species or harm their habitat and can result in large fines or prison sentences.
Mr Noonan released the figures ahead of a visit to Kildare Wildlife Rescue on Thursday after the rehabilitation unit, which opened last year, received charitable status in September.
Mr Noonan told the his department is working on a stronger response to wildlife crime and has undertaken a “comprehensive review” of the Wildlife Act.
“In terms of enforcement, what we have done as part of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, is to fund additional rangers right across the country, and we’ve had a significant uptake in that.
“We have a biodiversity officer in every local authority. We are seeing the numbers of prosecutions, cases being brought successful to the courts, has increased very significantly.
“We are seeing judges taking it very seriously and we are seeing very significant fines and impacts on payments and other measures being administered in the courts for people who are guilty of cutting hedgerows out of season or persecuting birds of prey.
“This is increasing the awareness around wildlife crime.”
There have been 143 prosecutions for wildlife crime in Ireland since January 2020, while 33 people across the country have been convicted of breaking the Wildlife Act so far this year.
An increase in the number of wildlife rangers has been welcomed by rehabilitator Dan Donoher, who founded Kildare Wildlife Rescue in 2022. He said the charity’s main aim is to have more collaboration with the government and other wildlife rescue centres.
Since it opened, the Leinster-based organisation has cared on-site for 4,400 animals and currently has 120 creatures in its care, including birds, badgers, foxes, and birds of prey.
However, Mr Donoher told the that most of the injured wildlife he receives into his centre’s care is down to human behaviour.
“The reasons behind 90% of the animals we take in is because of human interactions,” he said.
“That’s road traffic accidents, construction, poisoning and shootings, they are with us because of what we are doing to them."
“We were delighted to have the minister here this week to see the work we do and to acknowledge the help we give animals.
“But we are in the middle of a biodiversity crisis, and we held a conference recently with the public to try and highlight how we all have a role to play.”
Mr Donoher said the organisation hopes to continue finding new ways to help wildlife.
The charity currently has 120 volunteers to help run its centre, as well as transportation of sick or injured animals, rescue, rehab, admin, and social media.
“We are always looking for volunteers,” said Mr Donoher, “Not only are you helping wildlife, but you’re spreading the word about helping wildlife and right now we all need to play our part in protecting all wildlife and their habitats”.