Slow worm carnage

[nightshade]

The Lioness came home very upset, a local transport company has just had the grass strimmed on a couple of grassy banks between their perimeter fence and the public road.
On the road were the strimmed remains of several adult Slow worms and some smaller ones.
The manager is not very approachable, as they have people constantly complaining about vehicle movements (loading/unloading) at night.
I will visit and make my thoughts known, but it is in all probability the strimming gang that has no awareness of wildlife, I wonder if I can get a protection order??

[Matt Smith]

Slow-worms are already partly protected under the W&C Act. I'd try speaking to your local Council Ecologist / Biodiversity Officer or your local Amphibian & Reptile Group for starters and let them know about this.

[dampflippers]

Yes, contact Froglife Froglife - Slow Worm
Note "protected from killing and injury"

ARG UK
ARG-UK - Amphibian & Reptile Group of United Kingdom Look for your local group and let them know

and the Herp Con Trust
The Slow-worm (Anguis fragilis)

[werdnal]

Have you got a local Police Wildlife Protection Officer? Give them a ring, explain what happened and ask them to pay the company a visit, perferably soon before the evidence disappears!

[Johnny Redgate]

I think they are protected against intentional or reckless killing. This might be regarded as reckless if they knew or could reasonably have thought Slow worm were present (someone will have the full legal details somewhere I guess). The bodies obviously prove animals have been killed so I would photograph them to begin with at least.

[nightshade]

I contacted my Council Ecology officer but they are not around at present
perhaps tomorrow afternoon?
The manager was out!
The police weren't sure but I had no bodies or photos, they had disappeared, (probably been scavanged as there are Crows, Magpies Jays and Jackdaws all with mouths to feed)