In a recent large-scale operation, UK police conducted raids at multiple locations and seized over 6,000 illegal wild bird eggs. This represents the largest batch of wild bird eggs ever seized in the country.
According to The Guardian, the raids took place in November as part of an international effort to combat illegal wildlife egg activities, aimed at tackling organized crimes related to the capturing, possessing, and trading of wild bird eggs.
British authorities discovered thousands of wild bird eggs hidden in attics, offices, and drawers.
Prior to this, similar actions were taken in Norway and Australia. In June 2023, Norwegian police arrested 16 individuals in an operation where up to 50,000 wild bird eggs were seized. Australian authorities confiscated 3,500 wild bird eggs valued at up to 500,000 Australian dollars (310,000 USD).
Intelligence indicates that the wild bird eggs found in these three countries are linked to the same international criminal network.
The UK’s National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) stated, “These criminals are well-organized and closely connected. The rarer the species, the higher the demand and value for these criminals. Some eggs may be extremely rare.”
During the Victorian era in Britain (1830-1900), collecting bird eggs was a hobby for naturalists, with collectors aspiring to obtain eggs from all species, particularly those of rare species which were highly coveted. This led to some species being driven to extinction due to over-harvesting.
Starting in 1954, most wild egg collecting in the UK became a criminal offense, leading some collectors to go underground. Since 1981, all wild birds, nests, and eggs in the UK have been legally protected.
Earlier this year, a United Nations report highlighted the “incalculable damage” wildlife smuggling inflicts on nature, affecting over 4,000 species globally, including rare orchids, succulent plants, reptiles, birds, and fish.
Experts in the UK will spend the next few months cataloging the bird eggs, identifying their species’ origins, and assessing the value of these seizures.
(This article was adapted from The Guardian’s report)