Protected peregrine falcon dies after eating bait laced with poison

ANOTHER BIRD of prey has fallen victim to the ongoing persecution in Yorkshire after being poisoned, police say.

The juvenile peregrine falcon was found extremely ill in Fish Dam, Barnsley, on July 4, displaying signs it had been poisoned. The bird later died.

Detectives at South Yorkshire

Police have now said it had toxic levels of the substance Bendiocarb in its body, a pesticide commonly seen in birds such as kestrels and red kites which are fatally poisoned.

The poisoning and entrapment of birds of prey is an offence and incidents are being reported with increasing regularity, particularly in North Yorkshire. Earlier this year, a dog in Pateley Bridge was killed after eating poison thought to have been left out to target birds of prey.

Investigating Officer Pc Fran Robbs De La Hoyde of South Yorkshire Police said: “It is believed the poisoned peregrine falcon ingested bait laced with the poison which was deliberately set out to target the bird.

“There is nothing to suggest that this bait was laid in open land.

“This was a deliberate act that caused the death of a beautiful and protected bird.

“I am saddened by this and I am asking for your help to bring those responsible to justice.”

Tom Grose, an Investigations Officer for RSPB, said: “It’s always a privilege to catch a glimpse of a peregrine. The fastest birds in the world, they are highly adaptable creatures and often make their homes in urban areas these days.

“Bendiocarb is one of the most commonly- abused substances for killing birds of prey and we have sadly seen it used for this purpose on many occasions.

“It is illegal to kill these birds, and we urge anyone with information to come forward.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact South Yorkshire police.