Latest news with #WildlifeandCountrysideAct1981
Metro
4 days ago
- General
- Metro
'Monster' 18ft python rescued along with three others after being dumped
An 18ft 'monster' python was found in the Lincolnshire countryside along with three others after they were abandoned by their owner. A fifth snake could still be on the loose, say police, with people in the areaurged to be vigilant and keep dogs on a lead. The 18ft python and one measuring 14ft were discovered on Friday in the village of Manton, while two more around 11ft long were found some three miles away in Twigmore Woods on Saturday. All four are reticulated pythons, the world's largest type of snake and native to South East Asia. They're non venomous but can squeeze the life out of its prey. However, RSG Reptiles in Alford, who rescued the snakes, and Humberside Police said the animals will generally only attack if they feel threatened. Officers from Humberside Police's Rural Task Force are now investigating potential offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Rob Stokes, owner of RSG Reptiles, told Metro he got a call from fellow reptile experts, Exotic to the World in Cleethorpes, to say a 'big' wild type brown python had been found on the loose and that it was too large to home in their facility. 'They didn't say how big exactly, so when I arrived I was shocked. It's 18ft – a monster! Not what you expect to see in the English countryside.' He said a member of the public had come across it outside a converted church. Rob put the brown-coloured snake, which he says he's nicknamed 'Titch', in his van and was on the drive back to the centre, when he got a call that another python had just been found in the same area. So, after a quick U-turn he headed back to pick up a 14ft albino snake that the person who found it had managed to put in an empty bin. 'I took them both back and we gave them a bath as they were covered in parasitic mites – which in the snake-owning world is a bit like your dog getting fleas.' The following morning Rob got another call from Exotic to the World to say a man had found a third python, believed to be a pied golden child morph, in Tigmore Woods. 'Thankfully, this guy had handled snakes before, so he wrapped it in a duvet, which is fine to do, until we got there.' After putting the python safely in the van, and searching the area for any more snakes, Owen and his 15-year-old son George decided to head to Manson – where the first two were found – and do another sweep there. Within an hour, Owen spotted a fourth python – a second albino. 'We were about to leave and I looked in the hedgerow and saw this bright yellow and white snake,' she said. All four pythons are now safe at RSG's facility, which rescues reptiles and offers educational animal encounters. 'For now we have to treat them like evidence for the police, because the incident is being investigated. So they'll stay with us until there's either a prosecution or if there's no further action from the police. 'After that they'll either move to suitable homes or stay with us, and potentially become part of the animal encounters we do.' Rob says it's sad that the owner abandoned the animals instead of reaching out for help. 'We understand people's lives can change in a flash, leaving them struggling to look after their pets, but all they've got to do is call us, or their local exotic pet shop or the RSPCA and we'll take them and make sure they have good homes.' He says it's unclear whether there still is a snake on the loose. More Trending 'There was reports of another, but there's a chance it could be one of the ones we already have. However, I'd advise people in the areas they were found to keep their dogs on leads. 'These snakes are used to humans, and unlikely to harm anyone unless threatened, but there is still an element of risk, especially to dogs and small animals, so be vigilant.' Humberside Police, meanwhile, has warned the public not to approach any snakes found in the wild and to call 101 immediately with a precise location. They also appealed for information about how the snakes were released and reminded the public not to dump unwanted exotic animals. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Killer Asian needle ants are invading the US MORE: England's best tourist experience is so 'perfect' animal lovers want to live there MORE: Rampaging flock of peacocks cause terror across Staffordshire village
Time of India
11-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
How and why Foxes are a problem for Google's biggest office in London
's striking new £1 billion London headquarters in King's Cross faces an unexpected challenge as foxes have taken up residence on its expansive rooftop garden, creating a three-year saga that has impacted construction and raised questions about urban wildlife management . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The cunning creatures have established themselves on the 300-meter-long rooftop garden of the 11-story "landscraper," designed by Thomas Heatherwick Studio and Bjarke Ingels Group. Sources familiar with the construction confirmed that foxes have been digging burrows in the carefully manicured grounds and leaving droppings throughout the space intended for Google's 7,000 employees. Foxes have outsmarted Google's security measures "There's a little hole in the garden where one lives," a construction source told The Guardian. "We've seen her all around the building – one second she's on the fifth floor, the next she's on the garden floor. No one has been able to catch her." The rooftop garden, featuring 40,000 tonnes of soil and 250 trees, was designed to accommodate bees, bats, birds, and butterflies – but not foxes. The lush environment includes dining spaces, deckchairs, a fitness area, and even houses an indoor pool, making it an attractive habitat for urban wildlife. Animal welfare groups criticize 'pest' labeling The Guardian's initial reporting sparked controversy when animal welfare advocates, including Fox Guardians, criticized the newspaper for referring to the foxes as "pests." The organization pointed out that foxes aren't legally classified as vermin in the UK and are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Following public backlash, The Guardian updated its coverage to remove inflammatory language, now referring to the animals simply as "urban wildlife." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Google downplayed the situation, stating that "fox sightings at construction sites are pretty common" and that appearances have been "brief" with "minimal impact on ongoing construction." However, pest control experts suggest the foxes may be thriving on rodents or food scraps left by construction workers. The building, set to open later this year, is Google's first completely owned and designed site outside the United States.
Daily Record
09-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
June warning to gardeners cutting their hedge this month
Trimming the hedges is a job that comes with risks, warn experts If you're desperate to get the garden in shape this summer, there's one job you may want to hang off setting about just yet. Cutting your hedge this month could land you in legal bother and see you fined or even facing jail time. That's because hedge cutting is covered by environmental law. And if you cut your hedge and damage or destroy a bird's nest in the process you can end up being prosecuted which can lead to an 'unlimited' fine. As the law stands, farm hedgerows cannot legally be cut between the dates of April 1 and August 31. In extreme circumstances, farmers can plead their case to cut hedges if they have a reason but it would require them to be granted a licence allowing them to do this. And while it is actually legal to cut a domestic hedge, gardeners would have to be extra careful there are no birds nest in it before getting the hedge trimmer out. If you do damage or destroy a hedge while cutting, intentionally or unintentionally, you are breaking the law, reports the Express. That's because many birds are still nesting and feeding their young in June. Experts at Husqvana explained: 'Under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it's an offence to intentionally damage or destroy a wild bird's nest while it is being built or in use. That includes consciously using a hedge trimmer when there is a bird's nest in your hedge, and in the process of doing so, causing the nest to be damaged or destroyed." The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) backs this up. It says that a person is breaking that law if they intentionally damage a bird's nest while it's being used or built, and this applies to trimming hedges, saying: "The moment it becomes active, it is illegal to destroy it". Breaking this law could land you an unlimited fine and even six months in prison. The RSPB adds: "The consequences for the above, even in the event of harm to a single bird, nest or egg, is an unlimited fine, up to six months in jail or both. Suffice to say, it is certainly not a risk worth taking." They said: "Pieces of environmental legislation such as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended are regulated by a combination of the police, Natural England / Natural Resources Wales / Scottish Natural Heritage (based on location), the Environment Agency, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC), the local authorities, the Partnership of Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW), various public bodies, and relevant organisations based on the endangered species in question. "Once an action breaking the rules of the Act has been carried out, the offence will inevitably result in a police investigation. "The police will enforce part 1 of the Act, as it focuses on the fundamental wildlife protection over wildlife species and what exactly necessitates a breach of the rules. "In fact, dedicated departments of the police specialise in breaches of environmental and wildlife laws, such as the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) and Wildlife Crime Officers (WCOs). "Any law relating to the environment and wildlife are taken just as seriously as any other piece of active legislation. "Even in respect of a breach of the Act involving a single animal or habitat, the person responsible would be liable to pay a potentially unlimited fine, spend up to six months in prison, or possibly even both."
Daily Mirror
09-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
June warning that gardeners who cut hedges could 'face jail and unlimited fine'
If gardeners are cutting hedges and a bird's nest is damaged or destroyed - intentionally or otherwise - then they're breaking the law and could face a fine or jail time Green-fingered Brits are being warned against falling foul of the law this June as they spruce up their gardens, with warnings that illegal hedge trimming could land them in hot water – including potential jail time and an 'unlimited fine'. With the sun making a welcome return recently, albeit punctuated by showers, gardening enthusiasts have been eagerly tending to their outdoor spaces, keen to ensure their greenery is looking shipshape. However, those reaching for the shears to neaten up their hedges might not just be impacting the plant's health during its blooming period but could also inadvertently breach environmental regulations. Strict rules prohibit the cutting of farm hedgerows from April 1 to August 31, barring exceptional circumstances which would necessitate a licence. While domestic garden hedges can be legally trimmed during this period, any harm caused to bird nests, whether deliberate or accidental, constitutes a legal infringement. With many birds still in the midst of nesting and rearing chicks in June, specialists at Husqvana highlight the legal implications: "Under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it's an offence to intentionally damage or destroy a wild bird's nest while it is being built or in use. "That includes consciously using a hedge trimmer when there is a bird's nest in your hedge, and in the process of doing so, causing the nest to be damaged or destroyed." This stance is backed up by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, reports the Express. According to the RSPB, anyone who intentionally damages a bird's nest while it is in use or under construction is in breach of the law, and this includes trimming hedges. The charity states: "The moment it becomes active, it is illegal to destroy it." Violating this law may lead to an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison. The RSPB adds: "The consequences for the above, even in the event of harm to a single bird, nest or egg, is an unlimited fine, up to six months in jail or both. Suffice to say, it is certainly not a risk worth taking." Wildlife specialists Arbtech provide insight into how the legislation is enforced in practice. They state: "Pieces of environmental legislation such as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended are regulated by a combination of the police, Natural England/Natural Resources Wales/Scottish Natural Heritage (based on location), the Environment Agency, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC), the local authorities, the Partnership of Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW), various public bodies, and relevant organisations based on the endangered species in question. "Once an action breaking the rules of the Act has been carried out, the offence will inevitably result in a police investigation. "The police will enforce part 1 of the Act, as it focuses on the fundamental wildlife protection over wildlife species and what exactly necessitates a breach of the rules. "In fact, dedicated departments of the police specialise in breaches of environmental and wildlife laws, such as the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) and Wildlife Crime Officers (WCOs). "Any law relating to the environment and wildlife are taken just as seriously as any other piece of active legislation. "Even in respect of a breach of the Act involving a single animal or habitat, the person responsible would be liable to pay a potentially unlimited fine, spend up to six months in prison, or possibly even both."
Daily Mirror
05-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners risk six months jail and 'huge fine' for cutting hedge in June
Many people will have been out in the garden over the weekend, but there's a little known law that could see you hit with a hefty fine or even a prison sentence if you're not careful Garden owners are being warned not to trim their hedges in June, as it could result in an 'unlimited fine' and potentially six months behind bars. A lesser-known law regarding hedges and hedgerows in the UK is in effect from March until August. Despite many likely unintentionally breaking this law over the sunny weekend by getting out their hedge trimmers and secateurs, gardeners could still face penalties due to this obscure environmental regulation. Farm hedgerows are legally protected from being cut between April 1 and August 31, a measure put in place to safeguard nesting birds. While it's technically permissible to trim certain types of domestic garden hedges during this period, if it results in damage or destruction to a bird's nest - whether intentional or not - you're still infringing upon the law, reports the Express. Wood Street Care Leicester warns: "It's illegal to cut your hedges during bird nesting season, which runs from March to August. "Trimming your hedge during bird nesting season can harm or destroy nests, which is detrimental to the birds. It's also illegal to trim hedges on your property if they're taller than 20 metres without permission from the local council." Under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it's a crime to intentionally damage or destroy a wild bird's nest while it is under construction or in use. This is further supported by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The law is clear: "Wilfully damaging a bird's nest in use or under construction, which also extends to trimming hedges, is a legal offence. The moment it becomes active, it is illegal to destroy it". Violating this ruling could result in an unlimited fine or up to six months behind bars. The RSPB emphasises: "The consequences for the above, even in the event of harm to a single bird, nest or egg, is an unlimited fine, up to six months in jail or both. Suffice to say, it is certainly not a risk worth taking."
