PERPETRATORS of wildlife crime are going unpunished, despite overwhelming public support for action against them, a charity has warned.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), in a report released today, highlights challenges facing efforts to fight criminals who harm wildlife such as badgers, foxes and birds of prey, from issues with gathering evidence to a lack of resources.

It warns that just six to 14 per cent of reported wildlife crimes in Scotland, the only British nation to compile annual reports on such activity, result in a decision to prosecute.