Irish wildlife is being captured and sold to 'blood' illegal hunting dogs. 

An investigation into Ireland's 'wildlife black market' shows protected species are being trafficked to their deaths. 

The Journal Investigates reporter Patricia Devlin said many are being traded across the border to Northern Ireland. 

“We have found that animals such as foxes, badgers, hare and rabbits are being used as live bait in illegal hunting networks,” she said. 

“They’re actually being traded on the black market in these hunting networks, they’re being sold off to the highest bidder and it’s happening right across the country.” 

Main image shows a badger emerging from his set in County Carlow, 09-05-2010. Image: Padraig Kavanagh / Alamy

Ms Devlin said the groups are operating through social media - making it difficult for Gardaí to track them down.  

“It is an offence under the Wildlife Act to possess a wild animal,” she said. 

“You’re certainly not allowed to cage a wild animal and sell it off to be mauled by hunting dogs -  which is the prime reason why people are capturing these foxes and badgers.” 

Earlier this year, Sinn Féin called for more prosecutions and penalties for wildlife crime to demonstrate it is “not tolerated” in Ireland.

Main image: A fox. Picture by: Alamy.com 

Reporting by Teena Gates and James Wilson.