Who to contact if you see wildlife disturbance or damage
On land
Freshwater pollution:
A river or stream is running brown with soil, is discoloured in some other way, is foamy, contains sanitary products, smells of sewage or contains dead fish/fish gasping for air.
What to do:
Call the Environment Agency: 0800 80 70 60. Waste water issue: you can also contact South West Water www.southwestwater.co.uk/water-advice-and-services/waste-water-services/report-a-suspected-pollution or call 0344 346 2020.
Habitat change and damage:
Removal of Cornish hedges (not garden/ornamental) over 20 metres long, or less than 20m but joined to other wild hedges at each end. Site clearance/building work/major engineering work without planning permission. Trimming, cutting or felling trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order or within a Conservation Area.
What to do:
Check for planning permission at: planning.cornwall.gov.uk/ online-applications or 0300 1234 151. Report to Cornwall Council planning enforcement: www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/planning/enforcement/report-a-breach-of-planning-control or 0300 1234 151
Waste:
Illegal dumping of large amounts of waste (lorryloads)
What to do:
Report anonymously to Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111 or online www.crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information
Fly-tipping or unusual amounts of litter on the streets:
What to do:
Report to Cornwall Council: www.cornwall.gov.uk/flytipping or 0300 1234 141.
Tree damage:
A felling licence is required to fell trees in certain situations in the wider countryside. Exceptions include: gardens, churchyards or open spaces where the public have a legal right of access for recreation trees with a diameter less than the width of a baked bean can (8cm) at a height of 1.3 metres on the main stem up to 5 cubic metres of timber (around 5 metric tonnes) may be felled per calendar quarter.
What to do:
You can find out more here www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-6dfkw6. To check if a site is covered by a felling licence or to report alleged illegal felling: 0300 067 4960 or
Tree felling, hedge trimming and scrub clearance when birds are nesting:
This is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).
What to do:
Call the non-emergency number 101; you can ask to speak to a Wildlife Liaison Officer, or email
Wildlife crime:
Several species have legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), notably; all species of bats, dormice, all species of reptiles, nesting birds and badgers. Poisoning of birds of prey is also illegal.
What to do:
If you witness a suspected wildlife crime in action, call the Police on 999 immediately. Supply photos/ videos if possible. Non-immediate incidents: call the nonemergency number 101; you can ask to speak to a Wildlife Liaison Officer or email
At sea
Harrassment and disturbance:
See the Cornwall Marine and Coastal Code Guidelines at www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/living-seas/cornwall-marine-and-coastal-code
What to do:
If wildlife or habitats are being disturbed, call Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s 24-hour strandings hotline: 0345 201 2626. Serious harassment: report to the Police: see Wildlife crime.
Live-stranded marine animals:
What to do:
For whales, dolphins and seals call the British Divers Marine Life Rescue’s 24-hour hotline: 01825 765 546 or see www.bdmlr.org.uk/index.php
Live birds/other marine life in need of rescue and treatment:
What to do:
Call the RSPCA’s 24-hour hotline: 0300 123 4999
Dead-stranded marine animals:
What to do:
For all dead marine animals, including birds, please call Cornwall Wildlife Trusts’ 24-hour Marine Strandings Network hotline: 0345 201 2626
Ellis the seal:
Ellis the common seal has a back wound that was probably caused by a boat, but it seems to be healing well. He appears to be coping as the injury happened before 25th Feb 2016 when the photo was taken.
What to do:
If you see him, please email