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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Phoebe Weston

Police seize 6,000 illegal wild birds’ eggs as raids net largest haul in UK history

Aerial view of a container filled with illegally obtained wild bird eggs seized by Essex police, UK
A display of wild bird eggs, part of a seizure made by Essex police during Operation Pulka. Photograph: Essex Police

More than 6,000 eggs have been seized in the biggest haul of its kind in UK history, after police carried out raids in Scotland, South Yorkshire, Essex, Wales and Gloucester. Thousands of eggs were found secreted in attics, offices and drawers.

The UK raids took place in November as part of Operation Pulka, an international effort to tackle organised wildlife crime – specifically the taking, possessing and trading of wild birds’ eggs. The raids began in June 2023 in Norway, and resulted in 16 arrests and the seizure of 50,000 eggs. In Australia, an estimated 3,500 eggs have been seized, worth up to A$500,000 (£250,000).

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