POLICE are appealing for information after a bird of prey was found dead.
The bird was found by a member of the public on land near Whashton, on Thursday, March 28.
An x-ray of the buzzard revealed it contained two pieces of lead shot. A police spokesperson said the shot is likely to be the cause of death but a port mortem examination will be carried out.
North Yorkshire has the worst record for bird crime in the country, according to the RSPB’s latest report, with nine prosecutions for shooting raptors in 2017. A joint initiative, Operation Owl, to try and prevent the persecution of birds of prey was launched in February last year by North Yorkshire Police, the RSPB, RSPCA, the North Yorkshire Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.
Call police on 101 with any information.
