Social media fuelling wildlife crime in Ireland TheJournal.ie [Video]

CRUELTY FOR CLICKS — how social media is fuelling wildlife crime in Ireland.

From music video style TikToks to Facebook photo competitions, The Journal Investigates can reveal how cruel content is being glamorised and promoted online.

Experts believe the disturbing trend, known as cyber-enabled wildlife crime, is contributing to higher incidents of wildlife harm.

And despite a wealth of digital evidence, authorities are unable to take action due to a lack of resources and high burdens of proof required in court.

“There is the potential there to gather evidence from social media, but it needs expenditure, it needs resources,” Conor Dowling, chief inspector with the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), told The Journal Investigates.

“And we are a bit lacking in that area, certainly the ISPCA is, as a charity, along with other agencies as well.

“But I think it needs to be something that is seen as a priority.”

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WARNING:This article contains graphic images of animal …