POLICE have launched a major investigation after six birds of prey were found dead in the same small area of the Highlands.
The raptors – five protected red kites and one buzzard – are thought to have been poisoned.
The carcases were discovered in the Conon Bridge-Muir of Ord area in the space of a few days.
Police say they believe the deaths are connected.
Detective Inspector Scott McDonald, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are unclear as to what has caused the death of these birds but, given all the circumstances and the close proximity of them being found, we must assume, at this stage, some form of criminality.
“I would ask anyone who has been working on the land or using the area for recreational purposes to contact us if they have seen anything suspicious that may be linked to this incident.”
Police are warning anyone who finds any more dead birds not to touch them in case of poisoning, but to make a note of their location and contact the police.
Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said the charity’s special investigations unit was working with the police to offer expertise in what was “an extremely serious matter”.
If deliberate poisoning is involved, it is likely that carcases of animals such as rabbits would have been laced with a toxic substance and placed where the birds would eat them.
The RSPB has called the discoveries a “major setback” for the conservation of protected red kites in the Black Isle.
The birds, with their distinctive kite-shaped tails, are seen at only a handful of protected sites, including Ross-shire and Aberdeenshire where there is a reintroduction programme.
They have been a wildlife feature of the Black Isle since being reintroduced in 1994. Visitors to the RSPB’s Tollie Red Kite Centre can see them being fed.
David Pressland, from North Yorkshire, was photographing the birds at the centre yesterday.
He said: “The persecution of any raptor is sad, but especially red kites.
“It’s especially senseless because they are a scavenger and no real threat to wildlife or animals.
“That means they are so easy to get to, though, so it’s unfortunate.”
Duncan Orr-Ewing, of RSPB Scotland, said: “It is potentially a very serious wildlife crime incident. We are awaiting confirmation as to whether this incident is a wildlife crime or a natural incident.
“Irrespective of whether a crime has been committed here or not, to lose such a large number of red kites at one time from the small Black Isle population is a major setback to this important conservation programme for Europe’s only endemic and highly vulnerable raptor species.”
Scottish Gamekeepers Association chairman Alex Hogg said: “This is a hugely disappointing discovery and we would ask anyone who knows anything about this mindless act to contact Police Scotland and to assist with the investigation.
“Clearly, until the post-mortem and toxicology reports are known, there is little information to go on. However, the SGA condemns wildlife crime and advocates only legal means to solving conflicts.”
Douglas McAdam, chief executive of Scottish Land and Estates, added: “We would encourage our own members to respond to the police call for information.
“If there is found to be some form of criminality involved in the deaths of these birds of prey then this is something that we would wholeheartedly condemn.
“Wildlife crime of any kind will not be tolerated by the responsible majority.”
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