In a bid to tackle increasing levels of wildlife crime, Devon & Cornwall Police have teamed up with the RSPB to launch ‘Operation Wilderness’, a new scheme that will see 24 hr nest cameras installed at vulnerable sites across the region.
This is a proactive response to the spate of raptor persecution incidents last year, which included the illegal poisoning (with Carbofuran) of four goshawks and a buzzard (see here) and three peregrines (see here and here). There is also concern about egg collectors and pigeon fanciers in the area.
The cameras have been paid for by the Devon Bird Watching and Preservation Society, and Operation Wilderness is being led by Police Wildlife Crime Officer PC Josh Marshall.
Well done to everyone involved – this is an impressive joint effort.
BBC news article here
Thanks for your positive response and covering it on your site. Hopefully we have a good year with no issues.
PC 1776 Josh Marshall
Devon and Cornwall Police
Good for you Josh, good luck for the season.
Here’s Josh’s blog about wildlife crime in Devon – another excellent initiative:
http://devonwildlifecrime.blogspot.com/