Pc Jim McGovern took up the post on Tuesday

Pc Jim McGovern, 52, took up his new post with the Lothian and Borders force on Tuesday.

The officer has years of experience, including the recent discovery of an alligator in a bath in Edinburgh.

Pc McGovern said he would target poaching, hunting with dogs, illegal snaring, badger crime and much more.

The post will also serve as a point of contact with agencies like the RSPB and SSPCA, as well as estate and landowners across the Lothians and Scottish Borders.

This role will allow the force to dig deeper into organised wildlife crime, where at present we are only scratching the surface Pc Jim McGovern

Pc McGovern said he had seen some unbelievable cruelty in almost 10 years working in the field.

He said the most recent case involved a man who kept a 4ft alligator in his bath.

"We've had a number of poisoning cases across the Scottish Borders, one of which resulted in the biggest single case of its kind in Scotland," he said.

Other duties will include enforcing environmental issues and carrying out co-ordinated intelligence work to help identify serious criminals.

Resources pledge

Pc McGovern added: "This role will allow the force to dig deeper into organised wildlife crime, where at present we are only scratching the surface.

"Animals are regularly put in harm's way for what people call 'sport'. I aim to ensure that all available resources are put into reducing the number of crimes against wildlife."

Tayside is believed to have been the first Scottish force to employ a dedicated wildlife crime officer.

The inspector who filled the post, Alan Stewart, retired from the force several years ago but continues to do the job as a civilian.