Wildlife photography: could you be breaking the law?

Do you know the laws about photographing wildlife? Recent allegations of photographers disturbing otters, capercaillie, osprey and seals around Scotland during the last 12 months have raised quite a bit of interest in this topic.

While police investigation still continues into these incidents – three of which occurred in the spring and summer of 2015 – the desire to take a picture at an animal’s expense is the root cause and is a timely reminder that much of Scotland's, and the rest of the UK’s, flora and fauna is protected by law. This often means that licences are required to protect wildlife photographers from committing offences. The Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) Scotland is concerned that ignorance of the regulations is putting animals at risk and photographers in danger of attracting fines and criminal records.

In 2011, two photographers were convicted of disturbing a white tailed sea eagle's nest on Mull, receiving fines totalling £1100. A similar case in 2005 concerning an osprey nest near Lake of Monteith in Stirlingshire saw a photographer fined £300.

According to the RSPB’s Birdcrime report, there were 14 reported incidents of photography and disturbance of Schedule 1 species (birds afforded additional legal protection) in 2013 across the UK, with an average of 34 incidents per year between 2008 and 2012. In 2013, two shellfish collectors were given community orders and fined a total of £200 for disturbing Roseate Terns on Coquet Island off the Northumberland coast.

Many photographers from around the UK visit Scotland to photograph its more rare wildlife. While wider causes of animal disturbance remain a concern, it’s important that the recent upsurge in wildlife photography doesn’t contribute to greater numbers of incidents.

In wildlife photography, the welfare of the animal should always come first and the photographer should avoid disturbing it. Photographers should know their subject and be able to recognise the impact that they are having on it. The most common offence that wildlife photographers risk is one of "intentional or reckless" disturbance of certain protected species. Detailed guidance on wildlife photography and licensing in Scotland can be found on SNH’s website at http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/B469341.pdf . Similiar information for England and Wales can be found on Natural England’s website at https://www.gov.uk/wildlife-licences

While no offence is committed if an animal remains undisturbed, the majority of photographers have no control over how that animal may react – therefore, they risk committing offences. Photographers can apply for a licence from Scottish Natural Heritage or Natural England to provide permission to disturb the animal for the purposes of photography but, understandably, licences are site specific and granted only to photographers who can display a level of competence.

Ben Ross, Licensing Manager with Scottish Natural Heritage, advises, "The welfare of the subject in wildlife photography is absolutely crucial. Good wildlife photographers will understand their subject and be able to ensure that disturbance is either avoided or kept to an absolute minimum. Not all wildlife photography requires a licence, but you should be familiar with the law and with the species concerned. Our website provides guidance for wildlife photographers, and I would strongly recommend anyone interested in wildlife photography read the guidance there, which includes licensing information."

Photographic licences protect vulnerable species from disturbance that could affect their welfare or breeding success and are only granted to photographers who can clearly demonstrate that they have the appropriate skills, knowledge and experience. Photographers may be asked to submit a small portfolio of their wildlife images which can be built up by photographing common, accessible species such as garden birds and water fowl, grey squirrels, hedgehogs, foxes and insects that can be found in local parks, woodland and gardens.

Award-winning wildlife photographer, Lorne Gill, added, "It’s vital that photographers always put the welfare of animals ahead of any photograph and understand the law. By researching their subjects and recognising the impact they are having on an animal, photographers can avoid disturbing wildlife in the first place. Photographing an undisturbed animal often results in a more natural image in any case."

As cameras become ever more affordable, interest in digital and drone-based wildlife photography has increased, making it more important than ever before to respect wildlife and their environment to stay on the right side of the law.

By Charles Everitt, National Wildlife Crime Unit