Search

07 Sept 2025

Police appeal after bird of prey found dead in illegal trap

Police appeal after bird of prey found dead in illegal trap

A peregrine falcon has been found dead in an illegal trap near a village on the outskirts of Edinburgh, sparking an appeal for information on any suspicious activity in the area.

The protected bird of prey was found about 100 yards from a public path on the edge of woodland south of Wester Bavelaw, near Balerno, on Thursday last week, police said.

Wildlife crime officer, Detective Constable Daniel Crilley, said: “This protected bird was found in a baited pole trap that is illegal.

“Peregrine falcons are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and forensic tests are being done as part of our ongoing inquiries to establish the full circumstances.

“We are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area or who has information that could help our investigation to get in touch.

“If you can help please contact us via 101, quoting incident number 1376 of Friday November 24, or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

More information on wildlife crime can be found at www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/wildlife-crime/

To continue reading this article,
please subscribe and support local journalism!


Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles.

Subscribe

To continue reading this article for FREE,
please kindly register and/or log in.


Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites. You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news!

Register / Login

Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.

Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.