Hawk taxidermy seized after police find it being sold illegally online – Norwich Evening News

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Police have seized a taxidermied protected bird of prey after a Norfolk police officer saw it being illegally offered for sale online.
A listing for a Eurasian goshawk mounted in a glass display case alongside a thrush was first spotted on a social media sales site by an officer from Norfolk police’s rural crime team.
An investigation established that the seller was a 65-year-old from south Essex who was operating a legitimate business but had not realised a specific licence was required to sell or trade the bird.
The man was issued with a community resolution, which is an informal, voluntary and non-statutory way police can deal with an offence.
As part of the outcome, the taxidermy display has been retained by Essex police and will be used at public engagement events to raise awareness of wildlife conservation.
PC Dane Wyatt, the investigating officer, said: “The man had never been in trouble with the law before and didn’t know what licences are needed for selling taxidermied items.”
Under UK wildlife trade regulations, selling a taxidermied goshawk requires an Article 10 commercial-use certificate from the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
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