A buzzard. Photo: Mark Medcalf

Police are appealing for the public’s help after a protected bird of prey died after being shot.

The buzzard was found in the Yorkshire Dales by a patrolling national park ranger near Keld, on the route of the Pennine Way.

The injured bird landed near him at Kisdon Upper Force on Wednesday 26 October and the ranger took it to a local vet’s surgery where x-rays showed that it been hit by a number of pellets, causing injuries to its breast and a broken wing.

As a result of the injuries it sustained, the bird was unable to feed and died.

PC Jon Wilbor, wildlife crime officer for North Yorkshire Police, said: “Due to the condition of the bird and the nature of the injuries when it was found, I believe that it had been shot several days earlier, causing it to starve to death.

“It is not clear if this was an indiscriminate shooting or a deliberate act of persecution. In either case it is an illegal act that we will not tolerate and we will use all the powers at our disposal to bring those responsible to justice.

“I urge anyone who has any information about the dreadful shooting of this bird of prey to contact the police or Crimestoppers as soon as they can.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Jon Wilbor at Richmond police station on 0845 60 60 24 7 quoting reference number 12110182921.

Alternatively, members of the public can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.