Natural England

• Legal status
• Advice & leaflets - resolving mammal problems
• How to apply for a licence

Legal status

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 certain mammals are protected and cannot be killed or taken except under licence. The Act also prohibits or controls certain methods of killing or taking except under licence, see Species other than birds specially protected under The Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981: Schedule 5 (Animals).

If a matter involving a protected species cannot be resolved, a licence may be issued to allow the following actions with regard to mammals that would otherwise be protected:

• To permit the use of prohibited methods
• to kill or take
• to damage, destroy or obstruct access to a structure or place that the mammal occupies, or to disturb the animal while it is occupying such a place.research or education

Licences are issued for the following purposes:

• preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber or any other form of property or to fisheries.
• preserving public health or public safety
• preventing the spread of disease
• scientific research or education or ringing or marking
• conservation
• protection of a zoological collection
• photography

The Wildlife Management & Licensing Service administers licence applications for all mammals, see How to apply for a licence below.

Advice & leaflets - Resolving problems involving mammals

Problems can often be resolved without recourse to a licence. Advisory leaflets are available which describe some of the approaches available. There are also a number of answers to frequently asked questions [398 kB] regarding mammal issues which you may find useful. If you require additional guidance contact us. We will either assist you directly or put you in touch with your local Wildlife Management Adviser. Advisers can offer more specific guidance to you over the telephone.

How to apply for a licence

If you wish to apply for a licence you will need to complete an application form which can be downloaded from the list below, in most cases they should be posted to the address on the form. Please note that we are currently updating all our forms to allow electronic submission. In urgent cases, applications may be accepted by facsimile. If you are unable to download a form they can be obtained directly from the Wildlife Management and Licensing Service. There is no charge for this licence or for advice.

Following receipt of your completed application, a Wildlife Management Adviser may contact you to discuss the case or arrange a visit to the site where the problem is occurring. The Adviser will assess the situation and provide guidance on the remedial options available.

We aim to process licence applications in 30 working days from date of receipt for damage or health and safety cases and 15 working days for science, education or conservation cases.

Application forms and guidance notes

• Application for a licence to kill or take any mammals in relation to damage or public health and safety WML-A05

• Application for a licence to kill or take seals in relation to damage WML-A17

• Application for a licence for wild animals on Schedule 5 WCA 1981 Species List or Schedule 2 Habitats Regs. 1994 Species List in relation to science, education or conservation
  This application can be completed Online or with form WML-A29

• Application for a licence for wild animals on Schedule 6 WCA 1981 Species List [241 kB] or Schedule 3 Habitats Regs.1994 Species List in relation to science, education or conservation WML-A30