Officers are appealing for information after a protected bird of prey was found shot in woodland at Mominail, near Ladybank, Fife.

The dead buzzard was found by a member of the public in the morning of Sunday, 9 April, 2022.

Wildlife crime liaison officer, Detective Constable Ben Pacholek, said: “It is sad and disappointed to find this dead bird which would have suffered a lingering and agonising death after being deliberately shot.

“Buzzards are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and I am appealing to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the wooded area to get in touch.

“We reply on the public to help us tackle wildlife crime and I urge anyone in the local and wider community to come forward if they have any information about who may have been responsible.

“If you can assist with our enquiries then please call us on 101, quoting incident number 2689 of Sunday, 9 April, 2022.”

Police Scotland encourages anyone without information about wildlife to report it. This can be done via 101 and always call 999 if it is an emergency. More information on wildlife crime can be found on our website: https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/wildlife-crime/