Wildlife crime remains at disturbingly high levels, with new figures revealing thousands of suspected offences against wild animals but fewer than 2% resulting in a conviction.
Wildlife and Countryside Link has today released its tenth annual Wildlife Crime Report, revealing 2,149 reports of suspected wildlife crime incidents in 2025 but just 41 convictions across the categories reviewed – leaving the conviction rate below 2%. The figures are only a partial picture, with many wildlife crimes going undetected, unreported, or unrecorded.
The report lays bare a horrifying catalogue of cruelty and persecution: badgers stabbed, kicked and savaged by dogs; birds beaten and killed; a hedgehog killed in a catapult attack; seals repeatedly disturbed; and endangered wildlife trafficked in appalling conditions, with animals dying in transit.
Wildlife and Countryside Link is warning that Britain’s wildlife is being left in jeopardy by a criminal justice system in which the overwhelming majority of reported wildlife crimes do not lead to convictions.
Among the disturbing findings in the report:
The horror extends beyond Britain’s countryside and coasts. During Operation Thunder, authorities seized more than 250 endangered species and illegal wildlife products at the UK border. Vehicles were discovered carrying more than 2,000 live tarantulas, rainbow boa constrictors and more than 100 endangered birds in horrendous conditions, with many animals already dead. Another operation uncovered 37 boxes each containing around 15 fully grown eels being smuggled by lorry, many of which had already died or had to be euthanised to end their suffering.
Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said:
“This report exposes a horrifying catalogue of cruelty. Yet once again, fewer than two in every hundred reported wildlife crimes covered by our figures have ended in a conviction. When people can persecute wildlife with so little prospect of punishment, the law is failing the animals it is supposed to protect, which sends a dangerous signal that wildlife crime can be committed with impunity.
“The Government has promised much needed stronger penalties, but tougher sentences will mean little if offenders are never brought before a court. Ministers must make major wildlife crimes notifiable and give police the tools and resources they need and strengthen sentencing and enforcement. Britain’s wildlife is already fighting for survival against habitat destruction and climate change. It should not also have to endure sickening and senseless cruelty.”
Wildlife crime poses a threat not only to individual animals but to the recovery of nature. Many affected species and habitats are already under severe pressure, and the report warns that wildlife crime undermines progress towards the Government’s target to halt species decline.
Wildlife and Countryside Link is calling on the Government to raise the stakes for wildlife criminals, including by making at least eleven major wildlife crimes notifiable to the Home Office; increasing penalties in line with those available for companion animal and livestock offences; introducing Sentencing Council guidelines for key wildlife crimes; delivering commitments to ban snares and tighten the Hunting Act; taking action on catapult and slingshot-related wildlife crime; and introducing mandatory training and permits for wildlife tour operators to reduce marine wildlife disturbance.
Read the report here: Wildlife crime in 2025: reports, convictions and case studies
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Case studies:
Badger baiting and cruelty – Caerphilly, Wales
In October 2025, badgers were filmed being stabbed, kicked and attacked by dogs. Following investigations by RSPCA Cymru and Gwent Police, a man was jailed for 16 weeks and banned from keeping animals for life. The case is one of 15 badger persecution cases resulting in a conviction in 2025; 11 involved dogs being deliberately encouraged to harm badgers.
Hedgehog killed in catapult attack – Newbury
In November 2025, the RSPCA responded to a report of a hedgehog that had died from injuries caused by a catapult attack. A separate incident in Maidstone involved a Canada goose so seriously injured by a catapult that it later had to be euthanised. The report warns that the true scale of catapult-related wildlife crime is difficult to establish because incidents are not consistently recorded as a specific offence.
Endangered animals trafficked in horrendous conditions – UK border
During Operation Thunder, led by Interpol and the World Customs Organisation, more than 250 endangered species and illegal wildlife products were seized at the UK border. Individual vehicles were found carrying more than 2,000 live tarantulas, rainbow boa constrictors and more than 100 endangered birds in horrendous conditions, with many already dead. Seized products also included ivory carvings, a tiger claw bottle, and shark meat.
Seabird eggs smashed and seals frightened – Farne Islands
The report highlights increasing wildlife disturbance around the Farne Islands, where tour boats have reportedly approached animals within a few metres. Seabirds were observed knocking eggs from ledges, causing them to smash, while seals were frightened into the water, risking injury and unnecessary energy loss. Footage from spring 2025 also showed a pod of six to eight orcas being chased and crowded by tour boats and displaying signs of stress. Investigations into the Farne Islands incidents were ongoing at the time of the report, with no prosecutions yet taken.
First English conviction connected with hen harrier persecution
In January 2026, a head gamekeeper pleaded guilty to two offences committed at a hen harrier roost on a Yorkshire grouse moor estate in October 2024 – the first conviction in England in relation to hen harrier persecution. Covert RSPB footage captured the gamekeeper communicating by radio with two other men about coordinating the killing of hen harriers. He received a financial penalty totalling £1,520.
Additional quotes:
Sonja Eisfeld‑Pierantonio, science and policy at WDC, said: “Cetacean disturbance is a growing concern, yet we still lack the robust, consistent data needed to understand its true scale and impact. Incidents involving dolphins and whales are often witnessed but go unreported or are recorded inconsistently, meaning the figures we have are likely to represent only a fraction of what is happening. Improving reporting and recording of cetacean disturbance is essential if we are to properly understand the problem and protect these species.”
Mark Thomas, the RSPB’s head of investigations, said: "Existing legislation is failing to protect our magnificent birds of prey. Without stronger deterrents, wildlife crime will continue, with eagles poisoned, Hen Harriers shot and Buzzards killed in traps. These acts are illegal, cruel and completely unacceptable.
“Too often, those committing these crimes have done so with little fear of being held to account. That cannot continue."
Kit Stoner, CEO of the Bat Conservation Trust, said: “Wildlife crime must not be the cheaper or easier option. Penalties need to reflect the harm caused and any financial benefit gained from offending, whether that is profit made or time and money saved by ignoring the law.
“Police, prosecutors and courts must have access to the specialist evidence they need to ensure penalties are meaningful, proportionate and provide a real deterrent. And organisations such as ours, the Bat Conservation Trust, play an important role in providing that expertise.”
Paul De Ornellas, Chief Adviser – Wildlife at WWF, said: “Wildlife crime does not just harm individual animals. It undermines efforts to restore nature and recover species that are already under pressure. From the illegal trade in endangered wildlife to the persecution of protected species at home, these crimes are often highly organised, profitable and far more widespread than official figures suggest. This report highlights the need to support law enforcement and take tougher action against offenders. Without better intelligence and stronger enforcement, we risk allowing criminal activity to continue driving wildlife loss both here in the UK and around the world.”
Mike Scargill, Wildlife Partnerships Manager for the RSPCA, said: “These figures reveal the disturbing scale of wildlife crime, and the horrific suffering behind the statistics.
“Our frontline officers and wildlife centres see the consequences of deliberate cruelty every day, from wild birds injured by catapults to animals who have been subjected to horrific attacks. There is an urgent need for stronger action to protect wildlife and ensure those who deliberately harm animals are held accountable.”
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