Help solve shocking wildlife crimes: Crime Stoppers and the Conservation Regulator appeal for public information

Through their longstanding relationship, the two organisations aim to raise public awareness about the seriousness of wildlife crime.
The Wildlife Crime: It’s Your Call campaign urges Victorians to help solve several disturbing wildlife crimes after native animals were found mutilated or shot across Victoria.

Cases include birds shot with a nail gun in Carnegie, a decapitated kangaroo discovered in South Morang, and a possum shot with a BB gun in Preston.

'These acts of cruelty have no place in our community,' said Crime Stoppers Victoria Chief Executive Stella Smith. 'We want to identify the people responsible'. 'If you have any information that could help us solve these cases, please share what you know with Crime Stoppers.'

Unsolved cases include:

• Preston (March 2025): A ringtail possum carrying two joeys was found severely injured. A vet discovered three BB gun pellets in its body. It was euthanised. One joey escaped; the other is now in care.
• South Morang (March 2025): A member of the public found a decapitated eastern grey kangaroo.
• Carnegie (March 2025): A nail gun was used to seriously injure two birds.

Chief Conservation Regulator Kate Gavens condemned the crimes, saying they reflect the worst of human behaviour.
'These are deliberate and violent attacks on protected wildlife. They’re illegal, they’re abhorrent, and they will not be tolerated,' Ms Gavens said. 'Community reports are often the key to progressing our investigations. If you know something, now is the time to come forward.'

Crime Stoppers Victoria provides a confidential platform for the public to report wildlife crime anonymously, helping the Conservation Regulator gather vital information that might not otherwise come to light.

'Whether it is a photo, a description, or something you overheard, your information matters,' Ms Gavens said. 'Wildlife crime doesn’t always happen in plain sight, it often takes place in remote areas like farms, reserves, and bushland, where community reports are crucial in helping authorities take action.'

Anonymous reports have already played a critical role in solving wildlife investigations. In one case, CCTV footage submitted to Crime Stoppers showed an individual deliberately running over masked lapwing chicks near Karadoc. Acting on this evidence, investigators identified the offender, who was issued an infringement notice under the Wildlife Act 1975.

The partnership between Crime Stoppers Victoria and the Conservation Regulator has helped streamline community reporting, with Crime Stoppers recording a 124.8% increase in reports supplied to wildlife authorities in the past year.

'Victorians care about protecting their community and the environment, and they trust Crime Stoppers to help make a difference,' said Ms Smith.'If you know something, share it with Crime Stoppers, your information could help identify the people responsible for these horrible acts.'

If you have information about any of these unsolved cases, or any other wildlife crimes, report what you know anonymously at crimestoppersvic.com.au or call 1800 333 000.