A raptor has been put down after being shot on an Aberdeenshire estate.
The goshawk had come into the care of the north-east wildlife sanctuary New Arc late last month after it had been shot the week before in Strathdon.
At first, the bird – which had been affectionately named Bart – seemed to be in reasonably good health despite its injuries.
But, following an X-ray examination the next day, vets discovered a small metal bullet had become lodged in his chest, and that he had suffered severe damage to its left lung and shoulder.
Vets considered surgery, but deemed the procedure too risky and concluded that putting Bart down would be the more humane option.
Although goshawks are not a critically-endangered species in the UK, their population numbers have plummeted in recent years due to persecution and nest robbing – with only around 280 to 430 breeding pairs left in the wild, according to the RSPB.
Wildlife crime officers are now investigating the incident, which New Arc owner Keith Marley believes to have been a deliberate attempt to take Bart’s life.
Mr Marley said: “The guy who found him and brought Bart in said the bird was shot right in front of him while it was sitting on a dyke.
“He was out walking his dogs in Strathdon, and the bird got shot about 20 to 30 yards ahead of him by an unseen shooter.
“It was on a hunting estate – but the guy couldn’t find the hunters afterwards, they disappeared.
“It was definitely a deliberate shooting of a bird of prey. Whether they knew it was a goshawk or not depends on the shooter’s knowledge, but all birds of prey are protected.
“Whoever it was, if you are close enough to shoot a bird, you are close enough to know what you are shooting – it’s not a pheasant, it’s not a grouse.”
But Mr Marley said that this was not an isolated incident, and urged anyone with information to get in touch with the police.
He added: “There’s a specialist wildlife crime department investigating this, and I would urge anyone who knows anything to get in touch with them.
“I don’t have a lot of hope for a successful prosecution, because on a shooting estate there are naturally lot of people with guns, so narrowing down the person is almost impossible.”
A police spokesman confirmed that inquiries are continuing. Anyone with information is urged to phone the police on 101.
