| Wildlife crime reports have rocketed
in Northern Ireland, with a fourfold increase in bat persecution
incidents and cases of bird nest destruction surging by more
than 10 times.
Environmental experts believe the increase may be down to
people becoming more aware that destroying a bat roost or
bird's nest is illegal and reporting incidents to the police.
Bat persecution cases have risen from one in 2010 to four
last year, according to the Partnership for Action Against
Wildlife Crime's (PAWNI) Birds and Bats Group.
Meanwhile, last year, 29 people reported concerns about
nest destruction compared to just two the year before.
"Last year we aimed to increase the number of reported incidents
by 25%," RSPB
spokesperson Stephanie Sim said. "As the statistics obtained
from the National Wildlife Crime Unit clearly show, the increase
was many times that."
PAWNI monitors bat roost and nest destruction and members
include the PSNI, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, NI
Bat Group and the RSPB.
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