Reports of wildlife crime surged in England and Wales in 2020 – survey

Badgers, buzzards, dolphins and bluebells were all targets in the pandemic-hit year, but convictions fell

Reports of wildlife crimes surged in the pandemic-hit year of 2020, including badger setts being bulldozed by builders and birds of prey being killed near grouse moors, according to a new report by wildlife charities.

The illegal taking of fish such as salmon from rivers and disturbance of seals and dolphins by people in boats also rose, the report found. Plants and fungi were also the targets of criminals, who snatched large numbers of mushrooms and bluebells to sell. At the same time, convictions for wildlife crime fell significantly.