18.11.2025
We are proud to announce the formation of a powerful new partnership between Naturewatch Foundation, Greenwich Wildlife Network, Swan Lifeline, Vale Wildlife Hospital, The Swan Sanctuary, Swans & Friends Bird Rescue and The Hop to Save Rabbits.
Unified by a common mission and decades of combined experience, these organisations have come together to create 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 direct 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, the organisations on the frontline witness the consequences every day: swans with shattered bones, birds left unable to fly, rabbits and other animals large and small 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 Purpose
The coalition’s mission is clear: to stop the use of catapults and similar weapons against wildlife through stronger legislation, improved education, increased social awareness, responsible retail practices, and greater accountability.
We passionately believe that wildlife crime deserves the same attention and seriousness as offences involving domestic animals. Every animal, wild or companion, deserves protection from cruelty.
Our Focus Areas
To drive meaningful and lasting change, the Target Crime not Wildlife Coalition is concentrating on five key areas:
- Legislative change – campaigning for stronger, modernised laws that prevent the use of catapults and other easily accessible weapons from being used to harm animals.
- Education – working with communities, schools, and youth groups to promote compassion, coexistence, and respect for wildlife.
- Social awareness – shining a light on the devastating impact these acts of cruelty have on individual animals and our society.
- Responsible retailing – urging retailers to tighten age verification on catapult sales and adopt a “wildlife over profit” ethos that prioritises safety over convenience.
- Accountability – calling on police forces and local authorities to take their responsibilities seriously, improve the recording of wildlife crime, and act decisively to protect animals.
Each organisation in the coalition brings its own expertise — from rescue and rehabilitation, to campaigning, research, and community outreach. Whether large or small, every member works tirelessly to protect wildlife. By joining forces, we can make our voices louder, our message clearer, and our impact stronger.
Join Us
We are actively reaching out to organisations across the country to strengthen the coalition’s reach and influence. If you know of groups that may be interested in supporting our mission, please consider sharing this blog with them.
Alternatively, you can contact us directly at wildlife@naturewatch.org, and a member of our team will respond as soon as practicable.
What We Are Doing
As part of the Target Crime, Not Wildlife campaign, we are calling on the government to take urgent action by making it illegal to sell catapults to anyone under 18. This simple, practical measure would significantly reduce preventable harm by restricting access to weapons that are routinely used to injure wildlife, domestic pets, and even people.
You can help drive this change by adding your voice and signing our petition to the policing minister today.
Together, we can help make cruelty to wildlife a thing of the past.
Jim
For updates on this campaign and our other work sign up to our mailing list.
For more information on our wildlife crime campaign check out our website.
