A raptor has been put down after
being shot on an Aberdeenshire estate.
The goshawk had come into the
care of the north-east wildlife sanctuary New Arc late last month after it had
been shot the week before in Strathdon.
At first, the bird – which had
been affectionately named Bart – seemed to be in reasonably good health despite
its injuries.
But, following an X-ray examination
the next day, vets discovered a small metal bullet had become lodged in his
chest, and that he had suffered severe damage to its left lung and shoulder.
Vets considered surgery, but
deemed the procedure too risky and concluded that putting Bart down would be
the more humane option.
Although goshawks are not a
critically-endangered species in the UK, their population numbers have
plummeted in recent years due to persecution and nest robbing – with only
around 280 to 430 breeding pairs left in the wild, according to the RSPB.
Wildlife crime officers are now
investigating the incident, which New Arc owner Keith Marley believes to have
been a deliberate attempt to take Bart’s life.
Mr Marley said: “The guy who
found him and brought Bart in said the bird was shot right in front of him
while it was sitting on a dyke.
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