{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/wildlife-and-countryside-act-1981/schedule-5",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/wildlife-and-countryside-act-1981/schedule-5.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/1981/69",
  "legislation_title": "Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/wildlife-and-countryside-act-1981",
  "path": "schedule/5",
  "kind": "schedule",
  "number": "5",
  "heading": "Animals which are Protected",
  "text": "Common name\nScientific name\nAdder (in respect of section 9(5) only)\nVipera berus\nAllis Shad (in respect of section 9(1) and (4)(a) only)\nAlosa alosa\nAnemone, Ivell’s Sea\nEdwardsia ivelli\nAnemone, Startlet Sea\nNematosella vectensis\nApus\nTriops cancriformis\nBats, Horseshoe (all species but in respect of section 9(4)(b) and (c) and (5) only)\nRhinolophidae\nBats, Typical (all species but in respect of section 9(4)(b) and (c) and (5) only)\nVespertilionidae\nBeetle\nGraphoderus zonatus\nBeetle\nHypebaeus flavipes\nBeetle\nParacymus aeneus\nBeetle, Lesser Silver Water\nHydrochara caraboides\nBeetle, Mire Pill (in respect of section 9(4)(a) only)\nCurimopsis nigrita\nBeetle, Rainbow Leaf\nChrysolina cerealis\nBeetle, Stag (in respect of section 9(5) only)\nLucanus cervus\nBeetle, Violet Click\nLimoniscus violaceus\nBurbot\nLota lota\n. . .\n. . .\nButterfly, Northern Brown Argus\nAricia artaxerxes\nButterfly, Adonis Blue\nLysandra bellargus\nButterfly, Chalkhill Blue\nLysandra coridon\nButterfly, Silver-studded Blue\nPlebejus argus\nButterfly, Small Blue\nCupido minimus\nButterfly, Large Copper\nLycaena dispar\nButterfly, Purple Emperor\nApatura iris\nButterfly, Duke of Burgandy Fritillary\nHamearis lucina\nButterfly, Glanville Fritillary\nMelitaea cinxia\nButterfly, Heath Fritillary\nMellicta athalia (otherwise known as Melitaea athalia)\nButterfly, High Brown Fritillary\nArgynnis adippe\nButterfly, Marsh Fritillary\nEurodryas aurinia\nButterfly, Pearl-bordered Fritillary\nBoloria euphrosyne\nButterfly, Black Hairstreak\nStrymonidia pruni\nButterfly, Brown Hairstreak\nThecla betulae\nButterfly, White Letter Hairstreak\nStymonida w-album\nButterfly, Large Heath\nCoenonympha tullia\nButterfly, Large Blue (in respect of section 9(4)(b) and (c) and (5) only)\nMaculinea arion\nButterfly, Mountain Ringlet\nErebia epiphron\n. . .\n. . .\nButterfly, Chequered Skipper\nCarterocephalus palaemon\nButterfly, Lulworth Skipper\nThymelicus acteon\nButterfly, Silver Spotted Skipper\nHesperia comma\nButterfly, Swallowtail\nPapilio machaon\nButterfly, Large tortoiseshell\nNymphalis polychloros\nButterfly, Wood White\nLeptidea sinapis\nCat, Wild (in respect of section 9(4)(b) and (c) and (5) only)\nFelis silverstris\nCicada, New Forest\nCicadetta montana\nCrayfish, Atlantic Stream\nAustropotamobius pallipes\nCricket, Field\nGryllus campestris\nCricket, Mole\nGryllotalpa gryllotalpa\nDameselfly, Southern\nCoenagrion mercuriale\n. . .\n. . .\n. . .\n. . .\n“Dolphins (all species but in respect of section 9(4A) and (5) only)\nCetacea”\nDormouse (in respect of section 9(4)(b) and (c) and (5) only)\nMuscardinus avellanarius\nDragonfly, Norfolk Aeshna\nAeshna isosceles\nFrog, Common (in respect of section 9(5) only)\nRana temporaria\nFrog, Pool (Northern Clade) (in respect of section 9(4)(b) and (c)(1) only and with respect to England only)\nPelophylax lessonae\nGoby, Couch’s\nGobius couchii\nGoby, Giant\nGobius cobitis\nGrasshopper, Wart-biter\nDecticus verrucivorus\nHatchet Shell, Northern\nThyasira gouldi\nHydroid, Marine\nClavopsella navis\n. . .\n. . .\nLagoon Snail, De Folin’s\nCaecum armoricum\nLagoon Worm, Tentacled (in respect of section 9(4)(a) only)\nAlkmaria romijni\nLeech, Medicinal\nHirudo medicinalis\nLizard, Sand (in respect of section 9(4)(b) and (c) and (5) only)\nLacerta agilis\nLizard, Viviparous (in respect of section 9(5) only)\nLacerta vivipara\nMarten, Pine\nMartes martes\nMat. Trembling Sea\nVictorella pavida\nMoth, Barberry Carpet\nPareulype berberata\nMoth, Black-veined\nSiona lineata (otherwise known as Idaea lineata)\n. . .\n. . .\nMoth, Fiery Clearwing\nBembecia chrysidiformis\nMoth, Fisher’s Estuarine(in respect of section 9(4)(b) and (c) and (5) only)\nGortyna borelii\nMoth, New Forest Burnet\nZygaena viciae\nMoth, Reddish Buff\nAcosmetia caliginosa\nMoth, Slender Scotch Burnet (in respect of section 9(5) only)\nZygaena loti subspecies scotica\nMoth, Sussex Emerald\nThalera fimbrialis\nMoth, Talisker Burnet (in respect of section 9(5) only)\nZygaena lonicerae subspecies jocelynae\n. . .\n. . .\nMussel, Fan (in respect of section 9(1), (2) and (5) only)\nAtrina fragilis\nMussel, Freshwater Pearl\nMargaritifera margaritifera\nNewt, Great Crested or Warty (in respect of section 9(4)(b) and (c) and (5) only)\nTriturus cristatus\nNewt, Palmate (in respect of section 9(5) only)\nTriturus helveticus\nNewt, Smooth (in respect of section 9(5) only)\nTriturus vulgaris\nOtter, Common (in respect of section 9(4)(b) and (c) and (5) only)\nLutra lutra\n. . .\n. . .\n“Porpoises (all species but in respect of section 9(5) only)\nCetacea”\nSandworm, Lagoon\nArmandia cirrhosa\nSea Fan, Pink (in respect of section 9(1), 9(2) and 9(5) only\nEunicella verrucosa\nSeahorse, Short Snouted (with respect to England and Walesonly)\nHippocampus hippocampus\nSeahorse, Spiny (with respect to England and Walesonly)\nHippocampus guttulatus\nSea Slug, Lagoon\nTenellia adspersa\nShad, Twaite (in respect of section 9(1) and (4)(a)only)\nAlosa fallax\nShark, Angel (in respect of section 9(1), (2) and (5) only)\nSquatina squatina\nShark, Basking\nCetorhinus maximus\nShrimp, Fairy\nChirocephalus diaphanus\nShrimp, Lagoon Sand (in respect of section 9(4)(a) only)\nGammarus insensiblis\nSkate, White (in respect of section 9(1), (2) and (5) only)\nRostroraja alba\nSlow-worm (in respect of section 9(5) only)\nAnguis fragilis\n. . .\n. . .\nSnail, Glutinous\nMyxas glutinosa\nSnail, Roman (in respect of section 9(1), (2) and (5) only and with respect to England and Walesonly)\nHelix pomatia\nSnail, Sandbowl\nCatinella arenaria\nSnake, Grass (in respect of section 9(5) only)\nNatrix helvetica (also known as Natrix natrix)\nSnake, Smooth (in respect of section 9(4)(b) and (c) and (5) only)\nCoronella austriaca\nSpider, Fen Raft\nDolomedes plantarius\nSpider, Ladybird\nEresus niger\nSquirrel, Red\nSciurus vulgaris\nSturgeon (in respect of section 9(4)(b) and (c) and (5) only)\nAcipenser sturio\nToad, Common (in respect of section 9(5) only)\nBufo bufo\nToad, Natterjack (in respect of section 9(4)(b) and (c) and (5) only)\nBufo calamita\n“Turtle, Flatback\nNatator depressus”\nTurtle, Green Sea (in respect of section 9(4)(b) and (c) and (5) only)\nChelonia mydas\nTurtle, Hawksbill (in respect of section 9(4)(b) and (c) and (5) only)\nEretmochelys imbricata\nTurtle, Kemp's Ridley Sea (in respect of section 9(4)(b) and (c) and (5) only)\nLepidochelys kempii\nTurtle, Leatherback Sea (in respect of section 9(4)(b) and (c) and (5) only)\nDermochelys coriacea\nTurtle, Loggerhead Sea (in respect of section 9(4)(b) and (c) and (5) only)\nCaretta caretta\nTurtle, Olive Ridley\nLepidochelys olivacea\n. . .\n. . .\nVendace\nCoregonus albula\nVole, Water . . .\nArvicola terrestris\nWalrus\nOdebenus rosmarus\nWhale (all species) but in respect of section 9(4A) and (5) only\nCetacea\nWhitefish\nCoregonus lavaretus\nNote. The common name or names given in the first column of this Schedule are included by way of guidance only; in the event of any dispute or proceedings, the common name or names shall not be taken into account.\nNOTE 2. ...",
  "extent": "E+W",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "By S.I. 1988/288 , art. 2(2) it is provided that all Dolphins (Cetacea) and all Porpoises (Cetacea) not already listed in Schedule 5 are added to that Schedule and by S.I. 2007/1843 , reg. 7(7)(g) it is provided that said Dolphins (all species) and Porpoises (all species) are omitted (E.W.) (21.8.2007)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "By virtue of S.I. 1991/367 , art. 2(1) entry is further listed in respect of section 9(1) so far as it relates to killing and injuring"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "By virtue of S.I. 1998/878 , art. 2(2) entries in Sch. 5 added (16.4.1998) in substitution for the existing entries"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F4",
      "text": "Entry added as provided by S.I. 1988/288 , art. 2(1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F5",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : words in entry inserted (E.W.) (21.8.2007) by The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1843) , reg. 7(7)(b)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F6",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : words in entry inserted (E.W.) (21.8.2007) by The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1843) , reg. 7(7)(c)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F7",
      "text": "Entries in Sch. 5 added (29.10.1992) by S.I. 1992/2350 , art. 2(1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F8",
      "text": "Entries in Sch. 5 added (16.4.1998) by S.I. 1998/878 , art. 2(1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F9",
      "text": "Entry removed from Schedule as provided by S.I. 1988/288 , art. 2(5)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F10",
      "text": "Entry added (in respect of s. 9(5) only) by S.I. 1989/906 , art. 2"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F11",
      "text": "Entries in Sch. 5 substituted (29.10.1992) by S.I. 1992/2350 , art. 2(2)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F12",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : words in entries inserted (E.W.) (21.8.2007) by The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1843) , reg. 7(7)(a)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F13",
      "text": "Entry added (only in respect of s. 9(1) so far as it relates to taking and in respect of s. 9(5)) by S.I. 1988/288 , art. 2(3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F14",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : entries relating to dolphins or porpoises omitted (21.7.2007) by virtue of The Conservation (Natural Habitats &c. ) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1843) , art. 7(7)(g)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F15",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : entry added (E.W.) (21.8.2007) by The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1843) , reg. 7(7)(h)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F16",
      "text": "Entries in Sch. 5 inserted (E.W.) (1.10.2011) by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedules 5 and 8) (England and Wales) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2015) , arts. 1(b) , 2(2) , Sch. 1"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F17",
      "text": "Entries in Sch. 5 omitted (E.W.) (1.10.2011) by virtue of The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedules 5 and 8) (England and Wales) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2015) , arts. 1(b) , 2(3) , Sch. 2"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F18",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 5 entry inserted (E.W.) (1.10.2011) by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedules 5 and 8) (England and Wales) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2015) , arts. 1(b) , 2(4)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F19",
      "text": "By S. I. 1988/288 , art. 2(4) entry (which is already listed in respect of section 9(5) only) is further listed in respect of s. 9(1) so far as it relates to killing and injuring"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F20",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : words inserted (E.W.) (1.10.2008) by The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/2127) , reg. 4"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F21",
      "text": "Entry in Sch. 5 (which was added as provided by S.I. 1988/288 , art. 2(1) ) removed (16.4.1998) by S.I. 1998/878 , art. 2(3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F22",
      "text": "By virtue of S.I. 1998/878 , art. 2(2) entry in Sch. 5 added (27.3.1998) in substitution for the existing entry"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F23",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : words in entry substituted (E.W.) (21.8.2007) by The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1843) , reg. 7(7)(d)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F24",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : entry added (E.W.) (21.8.2007) by The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1843) {reg. 7(7)(h)}"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F25",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : entries inserted (E.W.) (6.4.2008) by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedule 5) (England) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/431) , art. 2 , Sch."
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F26",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : words in entry relating to \"Seahorse, Short Snouted\" inserted (E.W.) (12.8.2008) by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedule 5) (Wales) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1927) , art. 2(a)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F27",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : words in entry relating to \"Seahorse, Spiny\" inserted (E.W.) (12.8.2008) by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedule 5) (Wales) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1927) , art. 2(b)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F28",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 5 entry substituted (E.W.) (1.10.2011) by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedules 5 and 8) (England and Wales) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2015) , arts. 1(b) , 2(5)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F29",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 5 entry substituted (E.W.) (1.10.2011) by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedules 5 and 8) (England and Wales) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2015) , arts. 1(b) , 2(6)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F30",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 5 entry inserted (E.W.) (1.10.2011) by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedules 5 and 8) (England and Wales) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2015) , arts. 1(b) , 2(7)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F31",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : words in entry relating to \"Snail, Roman\" inserted (E.W.) (12.8.2008) by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedule 5) (Wales) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1927) , art. 2(d)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F32",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : entry added (E.W.) (21.8.2007) by The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1843) {reg. 7(7)(h)}"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F33",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : entry added (E.W.) (21.8.2007) by The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1843) {reg. 7(7)(h)}"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F34",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : entry added (E.W.) (21.8.2007) by The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1843) {reg. 7(7)(h)}"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F35",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : entry added (E.W.) (21.8.2007) by The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1843) {reg. 7(7)(h)}"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F36",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : entry added (E.W.) (21.8.2007) by The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1843) {reg. 7(7)(h)}"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F37",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : entry added (E.W.) (21.8.2007) by The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1843) {reg. 7(7)(h)}"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F38",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : entry added (E.W.) (21.8.2007) by The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1843) {reg. 7(7)(h)}"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F39",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : entry of “Turtles, Marine (all species)” and “Dermochelyidae and Cheloniidae” omitted (E.W.) (21.8.2007) by virtue of The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1843) , reg. 7(7)(e)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F40",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : words in entry relating to \"Vole, Water\" omitted (E.W.) (12.8.2008) by virtue of The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedule 5) (Wales) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1927) , art. 2(e)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F41",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : words in entry inserted (E.W.) (21.8.2007) by The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1843) , reg. 7(7)(f)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F42",
      "text": "Sch. 5 : Note 2 inserted (E.W.) (6.4.2008) by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedule 5) (England) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/431) , art. 2(c)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F43",
      "text": "Sch. 5 Note 2 omitted (E.W.) (1.10.2011) by virtue of The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedules 5 and 8) (England and Wales) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2015) , arts. 1(b) , 2(8)"
    },
    {
      "type": "E",
      "label": "E1",
      "text": "This version of this provision extends to England and Wales only; a separate version has been created for Scotland only"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/69/schedule/5",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-31T10:30:49.503545+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}