WSPA exposes victims of London wildlife crime

Report part of campaign to recognise animal cruelty as a serious crime

December 2013: The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has launched a report highlighting the victims of wildlife crime. It shows that wildlife crime is far from victimless, offering case studies of animals and humans affected by wildlife crime in London. 

The report brings to light the diverse range of wildlife crimes uncovered in London, from the illegal fishing of eels to violence against swans and the trade in endangered species. It also reveals the links between wildlife crime and other illegal activities such as drug trafficking and anti-social behaviour.

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Cayman Turtle Farm repudiates WSPA charges

Cayman Turtle Farm Committed to Sea Turtle Conservation and Welfare 

Cayman Islands sea turtle conservation centre responds to attack on its operations by UK-based organisation

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands 

Read the original article - Cayman Turtle Farm report reveals cruelty, disease and appalling conditions 

Friday, 12th October, 2012... The Cayman Turtle Farm: Island Wildlife Encounter, an entity in existence for over 40 years dedicated to sea turtle research, reproduction, display and conservation, is today fighting serious and spurious claims made by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) against its operations.

In its purported quest to "shut down sea turtle farming," the WSPA is making grave allegations against the world's only sea turtle farming and conservation organisation that has reached the landmark achievement of a second generation of captive-bred sea turtles - the Cayman Turtle Farm.

The Cayman Turtle Farm is taking these allegations very seriously, as the organisation focuses on its mission to be a world-renowned attraction where guests enjoy quality interaction with animals in a safe environment which promotes sea turtle conservation through research and education.

The Cayman Turtle Farm sees this effort to shut down our operations as completely incompatible with the WSPA's claims that the organisation hopes to assist the Cayman Turtle Farm to transition to a model the WSPA finds more acceptable to its aims. That claim is in itself contradictory given that the WSPA has also claimed that sea turtles cannot be humanely held in captivity.

Continued:  http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/cayman-turtle-farm-questions.html

Boris – Time to stop playing the clown – Keep London’s wildlife police

Deborah Meaden: ‘Boris please recognise wildlife crime as a dirty business'

May 2012. Businesswoman Deborah Meaden, has thrown her support behind the World Society for the Protection of Animals' campaign to ask the London Mayoral candidates to ensure police funding to tackle the capital's wildlife crime.

So far, Brian Paddick, Jenny Jones and Ken Livingstone have pledged to secure the future of the Met Police Service's Wildlife Crime Unit (WCU) if elected.

The candidates are adding their voices to the more than 10,000 people already backing the World Society for the Protection of Animals' (WSPA) campaign to safeguard the future of the city's specialist wildlife police in the face of austerity cuts.

The only major candidate to not have publicly supported the Metropolitan Police Service's Wildlife Crime Unit (WCU) is Boris Johnson.

London is international hub for illegal trade
Deborah Meaden said: "With London as a UK and international hub for illegal trade in wildlife, the commitment of the London Mayor to adequate policing is crucial. Some of the animals that come into our capital dead, or in parts, I have seen recently in the wild where they belong. I can't believe that Boris would support this dirty business."

Continued:  http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/london-wildlife-boris.html

World Society for the Protection of Animals team up with Met police in fight against wildlife crime

Fight against wildlife crime
January 2012. London's specialist wildlife police have been given a financial boost in their efforts to stamp out wildlife crime in the city - the first time a charity has directly funded a Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) unit. Thanks to the intervention from an animal welfare charity, the MPS Wildlife Crime Unit (WCU) will be gaining more staff as well as resources to train up the next generation of specialist enforcement officers as its current officers near retirement.

World Society for the Protection of Animals
World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA UK) made the unusual move after witnessing a wave of UK-wide austerity cuts and watching Defra Minister Richard Benyon battle to save the National WCU in parliament. The London WCU was finding it increasingly difficult to effectively address wildlife crime in London - more officers and resources were needed, but it was clear that additional centralised funding would have been impossible in the current economic climate.

The charity's funding has safeguarded the future of the unit - allowing the current staff to pass on their extensive and valuable institutional knowledge - as well as allowing the unit to expand to better tackle wildlife crime.

Organised gangs
WSPA UK Head of External Affairs Simon Pope explained: "Without the specialist skills and knowledge of the WCU, wildlife crime in London could flourish. This is not some niche, illicit trade carried out by petty part-time villains. It is a major source of revenue for a global network of hardened criminals, gangs and drug lords; all growing rich from the trafficking of wildlife and none about to have a crisis of conscience and stop what they are doing."

Combined with WSPA's 30-plus years of international animal welfare work, global contacts and expertise, the partnership looks set to create a meaningful legacy.

Sergeant Ian Knox, Head of the Metropolitan Police Wildlife Crime Unit said: "I am delighted that the World Society for the Protection of Animals has decided to contribute a significant amount of money to the Wildlife Crime Unit. The extra funding will pay for more staff so we can be more proactive in targeting criminals who seek to exploit animals for financial gain.

"We will also be able to provide additional support and training to Wildlife Crime Officers across London which will ensure that the Met has the capability to tackle crimes against animals in the future."

Simon added: "WSPA believes that the knowledge contained in the WCU is an irreplaceable asset to London, national and international enforcement communities. We know that our supporters and Londoners want to see wildlife criminals bought to justice, so it seemed vital now more than ever to safeguard the future of this specialist unit."

The partnership launch marks the first milestone in WSPA UK's new wildlife campaign, which will cover a wide range of issues from wildlife crime and illegal trade, to bear sanctuaries and marine welfare concerns.

Continued:  http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/wspa.html