“Even though the PSNI has many other challenges, the force has found the resources to help stamp out poaching and trading in endangered species. 

There is a widespread belief here, on both sides of the Border, and probably in most countries, that the police don’t care very much about crimes against wildlife, especially where there is no direct threat to humans.

It’s a prejudice I shared until an incident on Rogerstown Estuary, in north Co Dublin, five years ago. I had seen someone shooting within the BirdWatch Ireland reserve, disturbing large flocks of roosting geese, ducks and waders. I was volunteering as a hide warden there, and we had been instructed not to approach suspected poachers but to summon the Garda to deal with them.”

Source : The Irish Times

Author : Paddy Woodworth

To read full article : http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/taking-aim-at-crimes-against-wildlife-1.1517555