Press Release:Humberside Police investigating the death of a Buzzard found with trap wounds to the head

We are investigating the suspicious death of a common buzzard found at the end of August in the western area of the East Riding of Yorkshire.

[airesizeimg src=”http://raptorpolitics.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Humber-Buzzardweb.jpg” alt=”Humber-Buzzardweb” class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-24325″ ]

X-rays of the bird show that it has previously suffered shotgun injuries as three shotgun pellets were found embedded in the bird.  The shotgun pellets are not thought to have caused its death and when the bird was found it had recent injuries to its head consistent with being confined in a cage trap.

Wildlife Crime Officer PC 1708 Brandon Ward said, ‘However this bird met its end, it has previously been shot.

‘Raptor persecution is a National Wildlife Crime priority which we take very seriously. Whatever anyone’s feelings are towards birds of prey there is no excuse for this type of criminality.

‘It’s sad that such practices are still common place. Due to the nature of these crimes they are difficult to detect. If you have information about anyone persecuting birds of prey we want to know.

‘I can be contacted in confidence via 101 and your information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality’.

Anyone with information regarding the above incident should call us on the non-emergency number 101 quoting investigation number 16/99978/18 which is being dealt with by WCO PC 1529 Day.

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