Target Crime Not Wildlife
Misuse of catapults is increasingly putting wildlife, domestic animals, and humans at risk.
Working to protect wild and companion animals from harm caused by catapults, slingshots, and other weapons, the 'Target Crime Not Wildlife' campaign focuses on stronger laws, education, raising awareness, promoting responsible retail, and holding authorities accountable to stop wildlife cruelty.
A coalition protecting Britain’s wildlife from cruelty and harm
We are proud to announce the formation of a powerful new coalition between Naturewatch Foundation and other UK-based animal welfare organisations.
Unified by a shared mission and decades of experience, these organisations have formed the ‘Target Crime Not Wildlife’ coalition – a collective determined to protect Britain’s wild and companion animals from those who use catapults and other weapons to cause harm.
This coalition has emerged in response to the alarming rise in incidents where wildlife is injured, maimed, or killed by catapults, slingshots, and similar weapons. While many victims suffer unseen, frontline organisations witness the consequences every day: swans with shattered bones, birds left unable to fly, and rabbits and other animals intentionally targeted for “fun.” This cruelty is not only shocking — it is criminal. Yet too often these barbaric wildlife crimes do not receive the recognition, reporting, or enforcement they urgently require.
Our Focus Areas
To tackle these issues, the ‘Target Crime Not Wildlife’ coalition focuses on five key priorities:
- Legislation – stronger laws to stop harm from catapults and other weapons.
- Education – teaching communities, schools, and youth to respect wildlife.
- Awareness – exposing the impact of cruelty on animals and society.
- Responsible retail – urging retailers to prioritise wildlife safety.
- Accountability – calling on authorities to act decisively on wildlife crime.
By working together, we make our voice louder, our message clearer, and our impact stronger.
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Driving change for wildlife
Since the launch of Target Crime Not Wildlife', we’ve worked tirelessly with our coalition members and supporters to raise our voice, drive change, and achieve real impact for animals.
Together, we’ve campaigned for stronger laws, highlighted the consequences of wildlife crime, and pushed for greater accountability from authorities and businesses.
Our efforts have already made a difference — from influencing policy decisions to encouraging ethical practices by online marketplaces, every action brings us closer to a safer world for wildlife, companion animals, and communities across the UK.
See some of the key successes we’ve achieved with our coalition and supporters.
MPs hear the call to end wildlife cruelty
The ‘Target Crime Not Wildlife’ campaign drop-in event was a huge success, with around 50 MPs from across parties attending to show their support. Their presence highlighted that wildlife persecution is a serious issue that cannot be ignored.
During the session, we called for stronger enforcement, parliamentary backing, and a proactive government response, stressing that catapult misuse is not a minor problem but a criminal act that can be a gateway to wider offending. Thanks to our supporters who took action, their voices were heard loud and clear.
Read more to see how MPs are taking action to protect wildlife.
When responsibility wins: A landmark moment for wildlife
The online selling platform Gumtree has made a bold, ethical decision to remove the easy availability of catapults and slingshots via associated sponsored links on its platform. This is not just a policy update; it is a landmark moment for wildlife protection.
By prioritising safety over profit, Gumtree is helping prevent these weapons from falling into the wrong hands. This move protects not only wildlife but also pets and people, reducing the risk of catastrophic injuries. Other marketplaces and retailers are urged to follow this example, showing that ethical responsibility and compassion must come before convenience or profit.
Advocating for Change in Online Retail
We recently met with representatives from Amazon UK to raise concerns about the availability of catapults and slingshots on their platform. We shared examples of listings that pose serious risks for wildlife persecution, highlighting the real harm these products can cause. At the time of writing, Amazon is reviewing the information we provided, and we hope they will follow Gumtree’s bold decision to prioritise compassion over profit.
We will continue to advocate for ethical practices and keep you updated on their progress.
