Kildare Garda spearheading battle against wildlife poachers

The Garda is preparing a new training course beginning in September for officers in a bid to tackle wildlife poachers, according to Kildare Garda Supt Martin Walker.

“There is a very low risk of being caught here in Ireland and the profits are quite strong,” said Supt Walker, who led the Garda’s anti-poaching Operation Bambi alongside the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

The new Garda strategy was revealed at the launch of the Irish Deer Commission, a voluntary deer management and conservation group, in Co Laois.

Deer poachers are increasingly using infrared telescopic sights for night-time shootings in the mountains, which means they can “operate without being given away by lights”, Supt Walker told the Irish Times.

Once they have killed and gutted the deer, poachers mark the location with GPS for later collection.

Returning the following day means they can collect the deer carcasses without carrying weapons.

Supt Walker said gangs can kill 10 deer in a night. A red deer stag can fetch up to €550.

A Sika deer will fetch about €100. Hare poaching is becoming an increasing problem, he said, with the animals later used for illegal coursing.

Finching, the illegal capture of wild birds, is also growing.

Bullfinches can fetch up to €150 and goldfinches can be sold for up to €50. Badger baiting is occurring more frequently, particularly in the midlands.