Rangers get training to tackle wildlife crime

Rangers working in the Cairngorms National Park have been given training on how to recognise crimes against wildlife.

The one day course organised by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) and run by the Police took place at Richmond Memorial Hall in Tomintoul on Friday 17 August 2012.

The course included sessions on preserving a potential crime scene for forensic examination, legal and illegal use of traps and snares, current legislation, bird disturbance, the role and responsibility of the Spey Fisheries Board, the Scottish SPCA and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

PC Eric Sharkey from Northern Constabulary led the course and said: “As PAW partners it is vitally important that the Police and the Cairngorms National Park work together to provide sustainable crime reduction in the Park Area. This training provides the Park Rangers with an understanding of the various aspects of Wildlife Crime, that they might encounter during their work, and how they can assist the Police in dealing with these crimes.”

CNPA Ranger Support Officer, Justin Prigmore, said: “Management of wildlife is part and parcel of working in the countryside. This training demonstrates what is normal best practice and what constitutes an illegal activity.

“The main point of the training is to make closer links between the Police and the Rangers working in the Cairngorms National Park. The Rangers are regularly out and about in their work to protect our countryside and this will help them to be an extra set of eyes and ears on the ground in the fight against wildlife crime.”