We are working with partners to manage Scottish wildlife and to protect our natural resources for future generations.
Actions
We are:
- undertaking species management where necessary and promoting the sustainable use of species
- tackling wildlife crime through robust legislation, partnership working and other measures
- managing species reintroductions, including the recent return of beavers to Scotland
- working with a range of partners to minimise the risks and impacts of invasive non-native species
Background
Wildlife inspires and enriches our lives, contributes to our wellbeing and underpins the ecosystems that we need to survive.
We meet our national and international obligations to conserve rare and vulnerable species by:
- making sure they are protected and managed in a fair and humane way
- addressing wildlife crime through co-ordinated enforcement
- managing conflicts between mankind and wildlife where they arise
- protecting wildlife from cruel or inappropriate management activities
We work closely with NatureScot (previously known as Scottish Natural Heritage), our lead advisory body on nature, wildlife management and landscape across Scotland.
Information on species licensing is available on the Nature Scot website.
Bills and legislation
Wildlife legislation is complex and spread across several different Acts. Key pieces of legislation include:
- Protection of Badgers Act 1992
- The Conservation (Natural Habitats Etc) Regulations 1994
- Deer (Scotland) Act 1996
- Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996
- Control of Trade In Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regs 1997
- Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002
- Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003
- Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004
- Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011
- The Spring Traps Approval (Scotland) Order 2011
- Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers (Scotland) Act 2020
The Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023 was passed on 24 January 2023 and became an Act on 7 March 2023. The 2023 Act maintains that it is an offence to hunt a wild mammal using a dog except in limited circumstances. Where hunting is allowed, the Bill introduces new limits on the number of dogs that can be used. NatureScot has since published guidance on licences that allow the use of more dogs. More information on the passage of the Act through the Scottish Parliament is available on the Parliament website.
We released a report analysing responses to our consultation on hunting with dogs. The consultation ran from 29 October 2021 to 15 December 2023.
The Scottish Parliament introduced the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill on 21 March 2023. It became an Act on 30 April 2024. The Act includes provisions to ban snares. Once enacted, using any snare will be an offence. More information on the Act's passage through the Scottish Parliament is on the Scottish Parliament website.
NatureScot has published guidance on licences for grouse moors .
NatureScot is working with stakeholders to develop licences for muirburn. Any updates will be uploaded to the NatureScot website.
We released a report analysing responses to our consultation on Wildlife Management in Scotland. The consultation ran from 26 October 2022 to 14 December 2022.
Contact
Post:
Wildlife Management Team
Scottish Government
Area 3-H South
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ