WRI e-newsletter

June 2015
  
 
 
  
2nd Irish Wildlife Crime Conference
 
photo © Alan McFadden 


Val Swan NPWS with traps


Superintendant Martin Walker


Ian Hutchinson Scottish Badgers 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ireland’s Wildlife CSI Weekend!

Wildlife Crime Conference REGISTRATION now OPEN
We are delighted to announce that the 2nd Wildlife Crime Conference will be held on the 12th and 13th September 2015, in the Pillo Hotel, Ashbourne, Co Meath (8 mins drive from the M50)
 
The conference is a two day event that is OPEN TO ALL. In 2013 it attracted an audience of 150 delegates from all walks of life. There were conservation rangers, gardai, police, scientists, environmentalists, ornithologists, agriculture and forestry experts, veterinary professionals, students, animal protection groups, wildlife rehabilitators, field sports representatives AND general public interested in wildlife protection.
 
It is a weekend of talks and practical sessions, with the intention of facilitating effective working relationships between the law enforcement bodies, charities, NGOs and the public in general.
 
Many of the speakers are individuals at the forefront of fighting wildlife crime in these islands.
 
Topics will include: forensics, environmental crimes; butterflies and bogs/wetlands, poisons and poisoning, poaching, trade in animals, badger baiting, illegal traps and snares, CSI practical real life case studies.
 
So what's different from 2013? much progress has been made over the past 2 years and we want to tell you all about it. We've also got talks on environmental crime, forensics and different a different variety of discussions and practical sessions.
 
Speakers will include representatives from the following organisations:NPWS, An Garda Síochána, Department of Agriculture, BWI, Wild Deer Association of Ireland, RSPB, Golden Eagle Trust, NARGC, Scottish Badgers, CRRU, Forensic Science Laboratory, Butterfly Conservation Ireland, ISPCA, and Veterinary forensic pathologists.
 
To complement the talks, practical sessions will take place to give a more ‘hands-on’ experience for conference-goers.
 
Veterinary professionals are especially welcome and the conference has been given accreditation from the Veterinary Council of Ireland for 21 CVE credits (10.5 credits per day)
and by the Law Society of Ireland.
 
WRI gratefully acknowledges conference sponsorship from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency and the Heritage Council.
 
Want to attend the Wildlife Crime Conference?  CLICK HERE  or go to   www.wri.ie/conference   
 
Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.
 
  
To “Rescue” or Not - Baby Birds
 
photo from akellyphoto.com
  
Found a Fledgling what do I do?
 
Now’s the time you’ll find young garden birds sitting on the ground or hopping about without any sign of their parents. This is perfectly normal, so there's no need to panic; these ‘fledglings’ are doing exactly what nature intended and left the nest deliberately and will shortly be able to fly.
Even if you can’t see the parents; they are probably watching you and waiting for you to leave!
As a general rule DO NOT ‘rescue’ the bird unless it is obviously injured, in a dangerous location, or definitely alone.
 
IF YOU STILL THINK THE BIRD NEEDS RESCUING, PLEASE READ THE ‘Rescue or Not’ SECTION of Irish Wildlife Matters website HERE FIRST.

Before attempting to capture a wildlife casualty; observe, assess and discuss with a rehabber then decide whether intervention is appropriate. Rehabber contact details can be found HERE
 
 
  
Wildlife to look for in Summer
 

 
 
'Ireland's Wildlife' - Wildlife Calendar

Calvin Jones is a freelance writer, author, birder and lifelong wildlife enthusiast. He is founder and managing editor of Irelandswildlife.com which has an amazingly detailed wildlife calendar where he provides details on Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibians, Insects and other invertebrates, and even plants you can expect to see in the different seasons.
 
“Summer in Ireland means long days, with sunny periods interspersed with showers. The Irish countryside comes alive with a kaleidoscope of colourful wildflowers and the industrious hum of pollinating insects. It’s a fantastic time of year and there’s no better way to enjoy it than to get out and search for some of Ireland’s amazing wildlife.”
Do check out Calvin's fascinating Wildlife Calendar HERE
 
 
  
Your experience of Wildlife Crime in Ireland - survey
 
 
  
Have you ever witnessed a wildlife crime in Ireland?
 
For those of you who have recently joined our newsletter and haven't seen this before; Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland is looking for your feedback in order to address any issues that may hinder the reporting of, or investigation into wildlife crimes in Ireland.
Results will be collated for discussion at the Wildlife Crime Conference in September - www.wri.ie/conference

We would really appreciate your help with this short survey. To fill it in Click HERE or go to
www.surveymonkey.com/s/RKPGQZ5

Do you know someone else who's witnessed a wildlife crime? Please forward this survey link to them. We can't fix the problem if we don't know what it is..
 
 
  
Spines are no match for a strimmer
 
photo from akellyphoto.com
  
© Alison Charles
 

   Hazards faced by wildlife in “tidy” gardens
 
Hedgehogs are covered with extremely sharp spines and can roll into a ball in order to protect themselves from most predators. However they are no match when it comes to power-tools!
Strimmers and lawn mowers kill and injure hundreds of hedgehogs every year, not only in gardens but also in fields and roadsides.
Try and clear vegetation by hand or by using manual tools wherever you can. Doing things by hand gives wildlife a chance to get out of the way.
If you do need to use a strimmer, use your foot to check for a hedgehog ‘nest’ first; they are ball-like structures (hedgehogs circle round and round till grass is wrapped around him for camouflage).
Also try and keep the strimmer about 30cm above the ground to hopefully miss the hog or a nest.
Hedgehogs regularly also become entangled in football nets so tie up nets when you're finished with them.
 
If you find an injured hedgehog use the CONTACTS page of www.irishwildlifematters.ie website HERE, to find the nearest hedgehog rehabilitator and phone them for advice.
 
  
Free online resource to educate children about wildlife crime
 
photo © Chris Watt Photography
  
Wildlife Crime teaching materials

Scottish children will be taught about the impact of wildlife crime and how they can help combat the problem through a new online wildlife crime detectives’ education pack.
The interactive pack will help to raise children’s awareness of wildlife crime issues and increase their knowledge of legitimate countryside practices.

This has been launched by the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) Scotland, following a successful initiative piloted in 2013 by Police Scotland.
FREE FOR ANYONE TO DOWNLOAD HERE
 
  
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Contact Us:
 
Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland
www.wri.ie
office@wri.ie
 
Irish Wildlife Matters
www.irishwildlifematters.ie
info@irishwildlifematters.ie
 
 
 
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