Welcome to the second edition of Eye on the Wild, our new weekly roundup designed to keep you up to date with the latest stories concerning British wildlife.
Each week, we’ll share important news, updates and stories from across the UK, including issues, species, and campaigns that may not always make the headlines. We’ll also highlight ways you can help and take action for wildlife.
If you have a story you think we should cover, email us at contact@protectthewild.org.uk
Gulls have been brutally murdered in Great Yarmouth
Norfolk Police has released data, showing that there were at least 15 deliberate attacks on Gulls across Great Yarmouth and nearby coastal communities between January 2016 and March this year. 12 of which were recorded as crimes, but zero resulted in a charge, caution or conviction.
Attacks included birds trapped with bait and hooks, a nest destroyed, a Gull stamped on, Gulls shot with air guns, and multiple cases of nesting birds being disturbed. One Gull was run over by a man on a mobility scooter in Great Yarmouth Market Place.
In August 2024, ten dead Gulls were put in a skip on an industrial estate. One had been shot by an air gun, while the others’ bodies were too decomposed to establish how they died. This incident doesn’t seem to appear in this latest list of Gull deaths released by Norfolk Police.
Protect the Wild contacted the police, asking why no-one has been prosecuted for any of the incidents. The force responded:
“Over the past decade, 12 crimes have been recorded in the Great Yarmouth area which involve seagulls being injured. While we understand the concern this may raise, each case must meet strict evidential thresholds before any prosecution can be brought.
In seven of these cases, despite enquiries being carried out, no suspect was identified. In a further three cases, while suspects were identified, there were evidential difficulties which meant the threshold for prosecution was not met.
We would always encourage anyone who witnesses such incidents to report it to police – you can contact us via our website or by calling 101.”
New hare coursing sentencing guidelines come into force
New sentencing guidelines for hare coursing came into force on 1 June 2026. Back in 2022, the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act strengthened police powers, including increasing the penalty to unlimited fines and a custodial sentence, as well as stopping convicted offenders from owning dogs. Powers for courts to recover costs for kennelling dogs were also included.
The Act also introduced two new offences of trespassing with intent to course hares with a dog, and going equipped to course hares with a dog.
But there were no formal guidelines directing how severely offenders should be punished, leading to inconsistent and often lenient sentences.
Under the new guidelines, the most serious offences now carry a custodial starting point of 18 weeks, with a maximum of 26 weeks. While this marks progress, we believe it falls far short of justice. After all, hare coursing is a brutal bloodsport in which hares are chased, mauled and murdered for entertainment.
A starting point of 18 weeks for the worst offenders sends a message, but not a loud enough one. Sentences need to truly reflect the cruelty and criminality involved.
Scottish campaigners fight to give wild goats more protection
The Wild Goat Conservation Trust (WGCT) has launched a consultation on plans to petition the Scottish Parliament for greater legal protection of Scotland’s wild goats.
Goats can be culled all year round, but unrestricted killing is devastating these ancient populations. Of nearly 200 wild goat herds recorded in Scotland in 1900, only around 40 remain today.
Last year, estate owner Oxygen Conservation culled a herd in the Borders, right in the middle of the goats` kidding season. Nearly 22,000 people signed a subsequent petition calling for legal protection of Scotland’s goats. But NatureScot stated that wild goats are classified as non-native, and therefore not eligible for protection. MSPs then rejected the appeal.
WGCT stated:
“The fact that wild goats may be shot whilst nursing young or while heavily pregnant is more than just inhumane, it is barbaric and must be stopped.”
WGCT’s consultation is being circulated to stakeholders. The organisation wants to propose a closed culling season during breeding periods, bringing wild goats in line with existing deer legislation.
But we go further. No cull is acceptable. Wild goats are a living part of Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage, and their continued persecution, whether by land managers or rewilding companies, cannot be justified. They deserve full protection, not just a slightly longer window before the shooting starts.
Wildlife will feature on the Bank of England’s new bank notes. Which will you pick?
Back in March, the Bank of England announced the fantastic news that images of wildlife would replace historical figures on bank notes.
And now the public is being asked to pick which wildlife you want to see on the notes. The public can select up to two examples from each category below, in a consultation running until 3 July.
The shortlist of 18 species has been revealed:
Mammals
Bottlenose dolphin
Brown hare
European hedgehog
Grey seal
Pine marten
Red fox
Birds
Atlantic puffin
Barn owl
Common kingfisher
Eurasian curlew
Great spotted woodpecker
White-tailed eagle
Amphibians, insects and fish
Atlantic salmon
Basking shark
Buff-tailed bumblebee
Common frog
Emperor dragonfly
Marsh fritillary butterfly
Submit your entries here.