Crimes against wildlife have risen more than 12% since 2016, according to the latest report from Wildlife and Countryside Link. As members of this coalition, we are banding together with 50+ NGOs to help protect animals and the environment. As such, we are co-signers of this report.

At a glance, there were a total of 1,324 reports of wildlife crime incidents. When this is compared to the 1,180 in 2016 and 1,283 in 2017, it’s obvious that this is something that can’t be ignored. Unfortunately, the number of convictions in wildlife crime remains very low. Despite an increase in reporting, there were only 11 individuals and businesses convicted in 2018.

We want the UK to host stronger international laws on wildlife crimes. This is why we are joining a group of other NGOs to call on the Governments in England and Wales to ensure wildlife crimes are addressed seriously.

This move is part of the wider work that we’re doing to protect wild animals, including rescuing bears from the bear bile industry, saving lions and lionesses from zoos and canned hunting enclosures, and speaking up to keep the ivory ban in place. We’re fighting on as many fronts as we can to ensure wild animals are treated with the respect that they deserve.

The best bit is that you can help us! We can only do what we can because of our supporters. If you want to help, you can sign our petitions, you can kindly offer a one-off or repeated donation, or you can offer your time as part of our Christmas fundraising efforts! No matter what you to do help, you’ll be working with us to change the lives of animals forever.