The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Police probe death of rare goshawk
Police have launched an investigation into the death of a rare goshawk, thought to have been shot at close range and dumped in a river.
The protected bird of prey, a female hatched in Angus in 2014, is thought to have been trapped and blasted with a shotgun before being disposed of.
Its body washed up at the mouth of the River North Esk near St Cyrus in Aberdeenshire, where it was found by a member of the public.
The carcase was given to the Royal School of Veterinary Studies at Edinburgh University where an X-ray revealed the bird was peppered with lead shot.
Police Scotland said they were investigating the death, which was first discovered in late March.
A spokesperson added: “Police are aware of the circumstances and inquiries are ongoing.
“We would ask that anyone who has information share this with police by phoning 101.”
The discovery has come to light just days after the Scottish Government’s latest official statistics suggested raptor persecution is at a record low. New maps showed there were just nine recorded crimes against birds of prey in Scotland last year.
But conservationists say the goshawk provides further evidence that illegal killings continue and that criminals have simply found new ways to avoid detection and are going to greater lengths to remove the evidence.
Dr Ruth Tingay of environmental pressure group Raptor Persecution UK, said: “Given the large amount of lead shot in its body it would have died immediately, so it’s possible it was killed on the shoreline and left to rot.
“Another explanation is that the goshawk had been shot and killed further inland and then tossed in the river for the water to carry away the corpse, and thus the evidence of the crime.
“The amount of lead shot is a clear indication it was shot at close range. Maybe it was caught in a trap then killed and dumped – it is quite hard to get up close to an adult goshawk unless it is trapped somewhere.”
Raptor persecution has been associated with management of driven grouse moors. Conservationist groups including RSPB Scotland have called for licensing to be introduced, including sanctions for licence removal where illegal practices are confirmed.