About Us > Compliance > ICU responsibilities

Investigations and Compliance Unit responsibilities

DENR's Investigations and Compliance Unit's (ICU) foremost objective is to protect South Australia’s flora, fauna and ecosystems from exploitation.

On a day to day basis, the ICU is responsible for:

• investigating reports of inappropriate or suspicious treatment/death of wildlife eg illegal take, trapping or trafficking
• liaising with appropriate agencies, for example the South Australian Police, if investigations reveal breaches outside of DENR's jurisdiction
• answering general enquiries from the public and DENR staff regarding the care and rescue of animals and the permit system
• investigating or supporting the investigation of vandalism, illegal camping, or illegal use of vehicles within parks and reserves
• the seizure of wildlife or enforced compliance through the implementation of Warden’s powers, when voluntary compliance is not forthcoming
• facilitate and manage the efficient, regulated and fully accountable trade in wildlife within the community, by ensuring access to flora and fauna is conscientious, sustainable, and has no negative impact on naturally occurring populations
• administer the fauna permits system and conduct routine inspection of permit holders
• Educate and raise awareness within the community about best practice in the "keep, sell and trade" of protected wildlife.

Find out more the work of the ICU

• reporting an offence
• DENR Investigations and Compliance Unit fact sheet (70kb pdf)
• investigations - what to expect fact sheet (62kb pdf)
• reporting illegal activity fact sheet (121kb pdf)
• your privacy during Investigations fact sheet (64kb pdf).

Find out more about compliance issues and certain animals

• dogs in parks fact sheet (56kb pdf)
• cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises) and the law fact sheet (85kb pdf)
• turtle identification fact sheet (157kb pdf)
• living with wildlife, including possums, snakes and swooping birds.