More than 22,000 wildlife crimes recorded in NI since 2019

More than 22,000 wildlife crimes have been recorded in Northern Ireland in recent years, according to “staggering” new figures.
These crimes include offences like badger baiting and animal cruelty.

In 2022 alone there were 5,443 of these crimes recorded and since the beginning of 2019 there have been 22,606. This works out at an average of 15-a-day.

Other wildlife crimes include the illegal use of poisons and traps, and illegally trading in endangered species.

Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK where hunting with dogs remains legal.

Alliance MLA John Blair expressed his shock at the figures.