Anyone who thinks that wildlife crime only occurs abroad is unfortunately wrong. Unfortunately, this phenomenon is also all too common in the Netherlands. Exact numbers cannot be stated, because it is of course illegal. A reporting point was opened in 2015 so that the numbers can be better mapped out.
What exactly is wildlife crime?
Any act that is aimed at adversely affecting the life, health and / or reproduction of a wild animal and is in violation of the law falls under wildlife crime. Examples of the hunting of elephants for their ivory are well known to everyone. Unfortunately, wildlife crime is also all too common in our own country. For example, it has turned out that approximately 25% of buzzard nests are disturbed every year in Friesland.
Types of Wildlife Crime in the Netherlands
There are many forms of Wildlife Crime in the Netherlands. Below are some examples;
- Shaking or breaking eggs
- Chasing away nesting (predatory) birds
- Felling trees with nests
- Shooting animals
- Poaching; killing animals using clips or snares
- Gassing animals in burrows
- Closing nest holes
- Catching wild (song) birds for your own aviary or for trade
- Poisoning animals
Numbers
It is not possible to indicate exact numbers. This is because these activities are well hidden, but also difficult to spot. Poaching also falls under several laws, such as the Flora and Fauna Act and the Weapons and Ammunition Act. Due to these different laws, the incidents are also stored in different systems and are registered separately. Fortunately, a reporting point was opened in 2015 by various nature agencies, namely; Frisian environmental federation, GMF, Nature and Environment Groningen, South Holland and Overijssel, Nature Network, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds, Province of Friesland, Netherlands Bird Protection, Staatsbosbeheer, Hunters Association and Raptor Conservation Program. By means of this hotline, the organizations want to provide people with better information and a representative insight into where, what happens and to what extent. Only then can targeted action be taken.
The victims
Animals such as the buzzard, hawk, kestrel, harrier, stone marten, fox, badger and songbirds are the victims of wildlife crime in the Netherlands. The prosecution of birds of prey has been portrayed reasonably well in Friesland. In 2012 alone, 122 reports were received by the regional environmental police. Pets are also at considerable risk and can become victims unknowingly. They can become seriously ill or die by, for example, eating poison or by getting caught or trapped. In addition, there is also danger for people. For example, the Forestry Commission has announced that poachers are increasingly professional. Increasingly, these are criminal gangs that are sometimes heavily armed. The increase in these practices can not be underestimated a risk for hikers in the nature reserves, especially since crossbows are also used here. Only a few incidents are known, but alertness is therefore required. In addition, hunted animals such as boars and red deer can show unpredictable behavior and thus pose a danger to walkers.
The suffering
However professional the gangs may have become, the techniques used by the poachers are often still medieval. In many cases, foot traps are still used, so that the caught animals only die days after being caught. Captured songbirds are immediately provided with a closed leg ring after capture, which is often accompanied by serious injuries.
What can you do about wildlife crime yourself?
As a precaution, it is in any case advisable to keep dogs on a leash when you go for a walk in a nature reserve. In addition, it is important to be alert to illegal practices and if you come across anything suspicious, report this to the wildlife crime reporting center (www.wildlifecrime.eu). In this way it becomes easier to find the perpetrators and to reduce wildlife crime.