Wildlife Crime

Welcome to the Isle of Man Constabulary Wildlife Crime webpage.

Wildlife crime encompasses three main areas:

• Investigating persecution of and cruelty to wildlife species
• Crime involving species, areas or habitats afforded special protection through being endangered or of conservation concern
• Illegal trade in endangered species.

The police officers tasked with enforcing Manx legislation relating to wildlife crime consists of PC Ian Scott and PC Mark Kerruish, based at Peel police station, and PC Kevin Quirk, based at Ramsey. The officers were appointed in 2008 taking over from the previous wildlife crime officer, Constable Dave Moore. The officers' primary duties are as regular Neighbourhood police officers, but all have specialist knowledge and can be called upon for advice and investigation of wildlife related issues.

The officers’ primary remit includes offences as defined under the Wildlife Act 1990 which includes:

• Intentional or reckless disturbance of protected species
• Protection of wild birds, their nests and eggs o Offences relating to the prohibition of certain methods of killing or taking wild birds
• Offences relating to the sale of live or dead wild birds and their eggs
• Protection of captive birds
• Protection of certain wild animals
• Offences relating to the prohibition of certain methods of killing or taking wild animals
• Protection of specified wild plants
• Offences relating to the introduction of new species
• Offences relating to the prohibition of hunting with dogs

They are also responsible for investigating:

• Offences under the Game Acts
• Hunting and shooting issues
• Enforcement of C.I.T.E.S. (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).

Much of the officers work involves close working with other Government Departments (such as the Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry & Customs and Excise), external agencies such as the MSPCA, RSPB, Manx Bird Life, Manx Basking Shark Society, Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch, Manx Wildlife Trust and numerous other groups and individuals.

The Island has a distinctive natural heritage and whilst we do not have many of the species that can be attributed to a significant number of wildlife crime offences in the United Kingdom such as badgers, foxes and deer, the Island has its own native and visiting species whose populations are of conservation concern on a national and international level such as the basking shark and hen harrier.

Recent investigations

This particular basking shark was the subject of a report of intentional or reckless disturbance by a boat operator in June 2009. Following investigation, the boat operator received a formal caution. As can be seen in the image (reproduced courtesy of the Isle of Man Basking Shark Watch Society), this shark had sustained injury to the dorsal fin consistent with impact from a propeller. This was an old injury and not attributable to the matter subject of the investigation but such injury is frequently observed with the species in Manx waters.

In 2009, the discovery of a network of improvised hides in a remote area around the nest site of a Hen Harrier in the south of the Island led to a joint investigation with the RSPB. As a result the offender was identified and numerous images recovered from the offenders home address revealing repeated visits to the nest over a prolonged period of time. As shown (top of page), the offender’s hand is seen holding back vegetation for the photograph. Whilst the person’s motivation was not malicious and in this instance the young successfully fledged, such activity can threaten the success of the nest. The hen harrier is subject to special protection under the Wildlife Act. The offender was prosecuted and received a fine of £500 plus £150 costs.

In August 2009, a number of mountain (also known as blue) hare carcasses were discovered near to the Black Hut. Many of the carcasses had been cut in half and just the hind quarters taken. There was no evidence of the hares having been shot and it is likely that these were taken by someone using a dog. Such activity in respect of the mountain hare and particularly on Government hill lands is illegal.