Another Hen Harrier disappears in suspected persecution case
Durham Constabulary has released a statement following a search for a missing satellite-tagged Hen Harrier in an area close to Hamsterley Forest
The Hen Harrier named 'Sia', was tagged in Southern Scotland this year and seems to have become the latest in a long line of harriers which have been killed in targeted capaign of raptor persecution.
Durham police did not give any detail as to the exact search area but Hamsterley is next to an area managed for driven grouse shooting. It is known that harriers are a lot more likely to be killed or 'disappear' in areas intensively managed for driven grouse shooting.
It is unlikely that any further information will come to light, it rarely does, but Durham police has issued a public plea for information relating to the 'disappearance' of 'Sia'. Here is their full statement:
Officers have teamed up with partner agencies to investigate a suspected case of raptor persecution.
Led by Wildlife Officer, PC Dave Williamson, members of the Barnard Castle Neighbourhood Policing Team, RSPB, the National Wildlife Crime Unit and Police Scotland carried out a search in an area close to Hamsterley Forest on Wednesday morning (November 2).
The activity came after a 2022 female hen harrier called Sia, from Southern Scotland, went missing in the area on October 10 when her tag stopped transmitting.
It is believed the protected species could have been shot down or killed unlawfully.
PC David Williamson, who led the operation, said: “We will always do everything we can to act on information received about alleged criminal activity.
“I would encourage anyone with information about this suspected crime to get in touch.”
If you have any information call 101 quoting incident reference number 79 of October 19, email PC Williamson at david.williamson@durham.police.uk or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
8 November 2022
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