wildlife crime
Successful convictions in Waterford raptor case
On 09 March in Dungarvan District Court the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) secured successful convictions in a high-profile wildlife crime case. The court convicted four felons of crimes relating to targeting and killing of protected birds of prey during the 2014 breeding season. The case began more than two years….
White-tailed eagle found poisoned at Connemara nest site
A female white-tailed eagle was found dead at a nest site in Connemara earlier this month by National Parks and Wildlife Service Conservation Ranger Dermot Breen. Mr Breen found the six-year-old female dead on the nest on 01 April, and a post-mortem later confirmed poisoning as the cause of death — the 13th….
White-tailed eagle found dead in Co. Fermanagh
The body of a white-tailed eagle was recovered by PSNI officers from the Newbridge Road area of Lisnaskea in Co. Fermanagh on Saturday 07 February. Commenting on the PSNI Fermanagh post on Facebook, Dr Alan Mee, coordinator of the white-tailed eagle reintroduction project for the Golden Eagle Trust said: “Sad end to….
Birdwatch Ireland responds to Cllr.’s “Open Season on Hen Harrier” remarks
Ireland’s largest conservation charity, Birdwatch Ireland, has responded strongly to recent comments by Limerick Co. Councillor John Sheahan calling for an “Open Season” on the protected hen harrier — one of most threatened birds. “Cllr. Sheahan’s ill-informed and short-sighted statement shows how far we have to travel as a state….
Peregrine falcons shot in Co. Tipperary
Peregrine falcons nesting in south Tipperary have been deliberately shot in a spate of attacks over recent weeks according to a report from Bridwatch Ireland. The birds, two of which died and one which sustained permanent injury, are believed to have been shot in three separate incidents. The body of….
“Open Season” on hen harrier: Cllr. John Sheahan’s response
Last night I penned this email to Cllr. John Sheahan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, in response to his outrageous call for an “Open Season” on hen harriers in the county. This morning I received an email with the following standard letter attached, clarifying Cllr. Sheahan’s position: Reply to “OPEN SEASON” remark….
White-tailed Eagles Found Dead in Co. Cork and Co. Kerry
Reports today have confirmed that a white-tailed eagles found dead in Co. Cork in January was illegally poisoned. The body of the female bird, released in Killarney National Park in 2010 as part of an official reintroduction project, was discovered washed up on the seashore at Glengariff in West Cork….
Calls for urgent investigation into seal massacre
The Irish Seal Sanctuary has called for an urgent investigation by the National Parks and Wildlife Service into the massacre of seals off the coast of counties Waterford and Wexford. Four decapitated seals were discovered in Tramore, Co. Waterford at the end of last week, bringing the overall tally of….
Decapitated seals found at Kerry Seal Sanctuary
Two decapitated seal heads were found pinned to boards on the premises of the Dingle Seal Sanctuary in Co. Kerry this morning. Volunteers at the Sanctuary made the gruesome discover shortly after 9am this morning. The young seals’ decapitated heads had been mounted on boards and fixed to the sanctuary’s….