Fears for birds of prey as fourth buzzard shot

It was the fourth buzzard to be shot in the Ryedale area in just four months, but there are fears that the actual number of birds of prey targeted could be far higher. The RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) has put up a reward of £1,000 for information that will help bring those responsible to justice.

Jean Thorpe, a wildlife expert who runs Ryedale Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre near Malton and is a leading expert on the rehabilitation of sick and injured raptors, was called out to rescue the bird, which had been grounded by its injuries.

The adult female, which had unusual ‘blonde’ colouring, had previously been sighted in and around the Farndale valley by local people.

Jean explained: “She had a nasty injury to the carpal joint of her wing and the bone was sticking through. After she’d been examined by the vet, we realised the wing was virtually severed and that, even if we were able to save her, she’d be left flightless and would never be able to live the life meant for her. Sadly, the decision was made to put her to sleep.”

X-ray images of the bird’s body later revealed that she’d been illegally shot; shotgun pellets were found in the wing.

Jean said: “I’m angry that this type of things keeps happening here in North Yorkshire. Whoever did this to such a fine bird of prey should be ashamed. In 2011, North Yorkshire was named the UK’s worst area for crimes against birds of prey, with more recorded incidents by far than any other area of the country, and the situation is getting worse.”

Although the motivation for this latest shooting is not clear, written evidence submitted to the Government’s Environment Audit Committee last year by the RSPB stated that there’s ‘a strong body of scientific evidence linking raptor persecution with upland moors managed for driven grouse shooting’.

Tackling raptor persecution remains one of six UK wildlife crime priorities identified by the Government, but, in North Yorkshire, the killing goes on.

Anyone with information about this incident, or any other attacks on birds of prey, is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.