Community offers reward to combat persecution of protected birds of prey

A POT of thousands of pounds has been raised to offer as reward for information in the fight to protect birds following the most recent discovery of a shot red kite in Nidderdale.

Local businesses and the RSPB have joined forces to offer a reward that currently stands at £3,000 for information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of those involved in the illegal killing of protected birds.

Chairman of Nidderdale Chamber of Trade, Keith Tordoff, last week began the groundwork when he offered £500 of his own money. Since then he has raised this to £1,000 and has been joined by an anonymous local business who donated an additional £500. The RSPB has now agreed to match this in the hopes of combating the persecution of birds of prey.

Mr Tordoff said: “Nidderdale is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and part of its beauty is seeing these incredible birds soaring overhead. People love seeing them and photographing them, and to hear that they are being targeted is simply disgusting.

“Continued reports of birds of prey being shot is not only damaging the wildlife and countryside of our local area but its reputation as well. We want to send a clear message that the people of Nidderdale do not condone this behaviour and are taking positive action to stamp it out.

“I’m willing to put my money where my mouth is and hope that this reward will help bring these persecutors to justice.”

In North Yorkshire no prosecutions have been secured for 24 confirmed red kite persecution incidents that have been recorded since 1999, all of which were recorded within the last 10 years and include eight cases of shootings and 16 poisonings. Bob Elliot, head of investigations at the RSPB, said: “We would be delighted to pay out the money if it leads to a successful prosecution.

“The illegal persecution of red kites and other birds of prey is a serious problem in this area.”