17th January
A POLICE investigation has been
launched after five red kites, a raven and a buzzard were discovered dead in a
village in Oxfordshire.
The birds were discovered by a
family on Sunday, September 17, near the village of Pyrton, on the edge of the
Chilterns, who reported them to the RSPB.
All the birds were recovered and
X-rayed by a local vet. The X-rays revealed no signs of shot.
However, the birds have now been
sent off for toxicology testing by Natural England as part of the Wildlife
Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS), to see if the birds have been poisoned.
All birds of prey and ravens are
protected by UK law, making it illegal to kill or harm them. Those found to
have done so could face six months in jail or an unlimited fine.
Thames
Valley Police, Natural England and RSPB are now working
together on a joint investigation and are appealing to the public for
information.
If you have any information
relating to this incident, call Thames Valley Police on 101.
With their six-foot wingspan, red
kites are Britain’s third-largest bird of prey and feed mainly on carrion.
If you find a wild bird which you
suspect has been illegally killed, contact RSPB Investigations on 01767 680551,
email crime@rspb.org.uk or
fill in the online form: https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/our-positions-and-campaigns/positions/wildbirdslaw/reportform.aspx
No comments:
Post a Comment