Buzzard found shot in national park
A juvenile Common Buzzard with a missing foot was taken into Ryedale Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre over the weekend. The bird had been found at Westerdale Moor in the North Yorks National Park. The moor is used for driven grouse shooting.
The young bird, described by Jean Thorpe at the rehab centre as "barely out of the nest" was so badly injured it had to be euthanased. The body was x-rayed, revealing that it had been shot in the leg. The bird had been caught in a Fenn trap. These powerful spring traps are approved for use on Grey Squirrels, Stoats and Weasels — not birds. The law requires that such traps are used in a tunnel to prevent the capture of non-target wildlife.
The buzzard was caught by one foot and in its frantic efforts to free itself had severed its leg at the joint. The tips of the flight and tail feathers were missing and badly abraded.
An x-ray revealed a shotgun pellet in the bird's leg. Photo courtesy of Jean Thorpe (Ryedale Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre).
Jean Thorpe also commented: "This is the reality of shooting interests and their interaction with native birds of prey here in North Yorkshire."
PC Jez Walmsley WCO of Malton Police Station is investigating the incident. Anyone with any information is being asked to ring 101 and leave him a message.
Ryedale Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre provides care for injured animals in the North Yorkshire area: http://helpwildlife.co.uk/p0215/
The juvenile buzzard's foot was missing and its flight and tail feathers badly abraded. Photo courtesy of Jean Thorpe (Ryedale Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre).
Please consider signing Dr Mark Avery's petition to ban driven grouse shooting: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/125003
Update: North York Moors National Park Authority statement
"The North York Moors National Park Authority does not tolerate wildlife crime in any shape or form and fully supports the police where it appears that a crime has been committed. Indeed the input of our staff was critical to ensuring a successful prosecution in recent years and we have pressed the police to make this a priority.
"The recent statistics show that this vigilance and persistence is, sadly, still needed and the current case of a juvenile Buzzard found at Westerdale with severe injuries is extremely worrying. The bird was found alive with a missing foot, damage to flight and tail feathers and x-rays revealed a shotgun pellet lodged in its leg — all meaning that the bird had to be put to sleep. It appears that the bird had been found caught in a trap.
"The Authority is appalled by this case and we will support the police in their investigations in whatever way possible. If you have seen or heard anything please ring 101 and ask to speak to PC Jez Walmsley, Wildlife Crime Officer at North Yorkshire Police."
