The bird was found near Gordale Scar. Photo: Bob Smith/grough
Police in North Yorkshire are appealing for information after a dead buzzard was found in the Yorkshire Dales.
The raptor, which is protected by law, was found only about 2km away from where a pair of nesting peregrine falcons are a major tourist draw.
Police said a local farmer found the body of the bird of prey in a field off Hawthorns Lane, Gordale. The site is a little over a mile from Malham Cove, where peregrine falcons raise chicks each year.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds provide a viewing point for the peregrines, which is visited by thousands of tourists each summer.
North Yorkshire Police said the dead buzzard was passed to rangers from the park authority who in turn notified the RSPB.
An x-ray revealed the buzzard had been shot. Photo: North Yorkshire Police
The spokesperson said: “Following an examination of the bird, an x-ray revealed a shotgun pellet in the birds head. It is not known whether the bird was killed at this location, or if it was shot elsewhere and flew on before succumbing to its injury.
“We are conducting enquiries and are requesting the public’s assistance to help determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
“In particular, we are appealing for anyone who has any knowledge of this shooting to contact us.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101, select option two, and ask for Harry Carpenter. You can also contact them by email. Reference number 12170089221 should be quoted.
Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The bird’s death is the latest in a number of incidents of raptor persecution in the Yorkshire Dales. A buzzard that was found with gunshot wounds in the Cowgill area in Dentdale earlier this month and taken to a veterinary centre, where it was expected to make a full recovery.
A tagged hen harrier that went missing in upper Swaledale in December last year and a shot peregrine falcon was found near Grassington in October.
In July, North Yorkshire Police admitted it had been wrong not to pursue a prosecution through the courts of a junior gamekeeper who admitted setting illegal cruel traps on the Mossdale Estate near Hawes. He was given a police caution for the offence.
The incident prompted the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority chairman Peter Charlesworth to say: “At a time when the Yorkshire Dales is receiving such widespread recognition as a wonderful place to visit, it’s incredibly disappointing that the criminal persecution of birds of prey continues to damage the reputation of the area.
“We know that birds of prey are a big attraction to the millions of visitors that come here, so these acts are causing economic damage as well as appalling harm to wildlife.”
Sue Morris
27 May 2017These people commiting such atrocities to protected species are a blight on rural communities.
I love Yorkshire, its scenery and wildlife but I despise the cruel, selfish individuals who gain pleasure from maiming and killing such beautiful, majestic birds.
Anyone who knows anything about such criminals PLEASE report it immediately to help prevent further injury and death to species whose lives are already threatened by pollution, intensive farming and climate change.
It's a national scandal what is happening in North Yorkshire. In my opinion, the police there are inept at dealing with wildlife crime. What is wrong with North Yorkshire?!?
Mike
29 May 2017It's time to take a collective stand and boycott Yorkshire until this stops - hit the whole area in the pocket so that sufficient pressure is put on the estates which clearly sanction this appalling behaviour by their staff.
I'll not be visiting The Dales until this record improves and I'd urge as many others as possible to do the same.
stigofthenest
29 May 2017The thing is Mike, The landowners (the shooting estates) couldn't give a toss if you or I stay away. In fact, the fewer people walking their hills and moors the better for them because their illegal activities are less likely to be detected.
The best course of action would be for more people to go walking thereby increasing the chances of witnessing first hand.
I dont understand how the landowners cannot be held accountable for shootings and traps being set on their land. Never mind who was the perpetrator -The landowner would be te employer and as such is sanctioning these crimes.
Anyone walking on Bink Moss (as an example) cant help but come across traps- because theyre everywhere. A quick jab with a walking pole will spring a trap though.
OutdoorAndy
06 June 2017stigofthenest - thanks for that, Mike could not be more wrong!
The estates would love people to stay away, it would give them every excuse to ramp up their sick efforts and leave them to their sick ways. They don't make their living from tourists, unlike the majority of residents, just the opposite!
Can you also explain why all the people of Yorkshire should suffer so that a few wealthy prevail? It scares me that such logic exists.
I live in North Yorkshire and it really annoys me this happens. I walk the moors and keep an eye out for illegal activities, which would go un-noticed if people did not get out. I sign petitions and raise awareness of the issue. I would petition our MP but sadly he is a Tory of the worst order :(
Boots on the ground are the best thing, as is sending letters to your MP's, signing petitions to stop the industry- these are the true tools to stop these cruel and nasty "sports people".