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Red Kite shot and killed in Cairngorms National Park

Police Scotland are appealing for information after a Red Kite was shot and killed in the Glenbuchat in Cairngorms National Park.

The shot Red Kite (© RSPB Scotland)

They have released the following statement:

On Wednesday, 26 February 2025, we received a report of a red kite having being shot sometime between Monday, 3 and Tuesday, 4 February in the Glenbuchat area of Strathdon after being found by a member of the public.

The bird was recovered with the assistance of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) where the cause of death was not apparent at that time. Following further investigations, it has been established that the bird had been shot and police were contacted.

Detective Constable Danny Crilley of the Wildlife Crime Unit said: “Red kites are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and it is illegal to kill any protected species.

“Enquiries are ongoing and we are working with our partner agencies to establish the full circumstances of this incident.

“I would appeal to anyone with any information that may assist our investigation to contact us. Your information could be vital in in establishing what has happened. If you were in the Glenbuchat area on Monday, 3 or Tuesday, 4 February, and saw anything suspicious or have any information about shooting activity in the area, please contact us.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0846 of Thursday, 27 February. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.”

Responding to the latest bird of prey killing within the national park, Cairngorms National Park Authority released said: “The Park Authority condemns the illegal killing of raptors in the strongest possible terms. Raptor persecution has no place in 21st century Scotland but sadly incidents such as this are still taking place. It is an unacceptable crime that not only harms our raptor populations, but also damages the reputation of those land managers that act lawfully and work hard to care for wildlife.”

 

6 Mar 2025

 

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