Cops investigating a suspected wildlife crime got sa-far-i more than they bargained for when they visited a local house.
Police officers were given a tall order when they checked out a full-sized stuffed giraffe in the conservatory of a Stirlingshire house.
And the bizarre visit didn’t stop there - they also discovered a zebra in the kitchen of the same home.
The peculiar find was reported last week to Stirling Council’s public safety committee.
Councillors were being briefed on the work of full -time local wildlife crime officer PC Laura Robertson, based at Dunblane, who drew praise for her enthusiasm for the job and her work with local communities.
The committee heard that Operation Wing Span was launched in October last year focusing on wildlife priorities and highlighting awareness of related issues.
At the beginning of October PC Robertson, part-time wildlife officers and the local community teams went to local antique shops, auction rooms, charity shops and vet surgeries to educate people on articles brought into the country illegally or sold illegally.
Inspector Andy Bushell told committee members: “PC Robertson later attended a house in Forth Valley rural area with a full-size giraffe in the conservatory and a zebra in the kitchen.
“All paperwork was checked and found to be in order.”
Committee chair Councillor Scott Farmer said: “I suppose there’s no accounting for taste of having a full-size giraffe in your conservatory and a zebra in the kitchen - but ‘each to their ain’.”
“Not to mention what size the conservatory must be,” added Inspector Bushell.
Inspector Bushell said the visibility of wildlife crime had increased because of people walking in more remote spots during the pandemic. While not all incidents noted constituted a crime they were said to be “useful for intelligence purposes”.
Hare coursing had proven to be one of the biggest challenges - but also one of the wildlife crime officers’ biggest successes.
Hare coursing is often associated with travelling criminals who travel all over Scotland entering fields, farms and estates. The occupants of a vehicle will trace a hare or hares in a field and release their dogs (mainly lurchers). The ‘sport’ is betting on whose dog will kill the hare first.
“People were traced and charged with 21 instances of hare coarsing,” said Inspector Bushell. “That really goes back to the ability to be able to link in with the wildlife officers from other divisions and is the biggest report submitted in Scotland for hare coarsing.
“It shows the benefits of investment in a full time wildlife officer.
“In Stirling and the Scottish Borders there was an issue with the same motor vehicle driving through farmers’ fields causing extensive damage to the growing cropped fields, dogs chasing and killing hares.
“PC Robertson worked with the local response crews, community teams and traffic department, wildlife police officers in other divisions and the local farming community. Local bulletins were released for police officers in an effort to trace the perpetrators.
“Early one morning in April 2020 a vehicle with five persons and six dogs on board was stopped by a local response sergeant outside Stirling. PC Robertson was contacted and had all dogs seized. Three persons were interviewed and charged with 21 offences for hare coursing, no insurance, careless driving, vandalism and breach of the peace for crimes throughout Forth Valley and the Scottish Borders. All offenders are due to appear in court.”
PC Robertson also attends local high schools throughout Forth Valley educating the pupils on various types of wildlife crime and asking for their help in reporting anything suspicious.
