Two birds of prey poisoned at Scots golf course as police launch probe
The two birds ingested the same type of highly toxic poison, resulting in their death.
Two birds of prey have been poisoned at a golf course in Dumfries and Galloway. Police launched a probe after a member of the public discovered a dead red kite and wood pigeon on Castle Douglas Golf Course on Thursday, April 10.
Following enquiries, it was established that the red kite had been poisoned, and the wood pigeon was used as poisoned bait.
On Tuesday, April 15, a second dead red kite was found nearby - and it has since been found that the two birds have ingested the same type of highly toxic poison, resulting in their death.
National Wildlife Crime Coordinator Detective Sergeant David Lynn said: "Red kites are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and it is illegal to kill this protected species.
'Poisoning a bird or animal is not only cruel and callous, but it can harm other wildlife as well as members of the public. The use of this poison in a public area is extremely dangerous and poses a significant risk to anyone who comes into contact with it.
" Our enquiries are ongoing, and we are working with our partner agencies to establish the full circumstances of this incident. We would urge the public not to handle any dead animals they may find in this area of Castle Douglas, and if there are suspicious circumstances, I would ask you to report this to police. I would appeal to anyone with any information about the poisoning of these birds to contact us.'
If you saw anything suspicious or have any information about poisoning in the area, please contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 0785 of April 10. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
It comes after police revealed two men had been arrested and charged after a red kite was "shot dead" in a separate incident in Aberdeenshire. Officers received a report that the bird had been killed in Glenbuchat, near Strathdon, sometime between Monday, February 3 and Tuesday, February 4.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The bird, which was found by a member of the public, 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.
However, following further investigations, it was allegedly established that the bird had been shot and police were contacted. At the time officers appealed for information - and police today confirmed that two men, aged 39 and 42, have been arrested and charged in connection with wildlife offences.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with wildlife offences following enquiries into the death of red kites in the Strathdon area of Aberdeenshire in February, 2025. The men, aged 39 and 42, will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
39 minutes ago
- Metro
Emmerdale reveals tragic Cain update in ITVX streaming release
The following article contains spoilers from an episode of Emmerdale that hasn't aired on ITV1 yet, but can be viewed on ITVX. Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) continued to face Tracy Shankley's (Amy Walsh) angry wrath as a new week began in Emmerdale. Last week, Cain discovered that his son Nate Robinson (Jurell Carter) had been murdered and understandably, he struggled to process the news. Prior to his death, Nate had a fight with Cain over the rumour he was sleeping with Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb). He was then killed by John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth), but his family believed that he had gone to Shetland. Cain eventually gave up on Nate, accepting that he no longer wanted anything to do with his family in the village and little girl Frankie. Of course, learning the truth about his son has made Cain feel utterly terrible – and matters have been made even worse due to Tracy accusing him of killing Nate. John was questioned by the detective in tonight's episode, but it wasn't because he had been accused of murder. He managed to back up Cain's story from Nate's final day in the village, revealing he went to the hospital immediately after the barn fire to see Moira, who had been caught up in the ordeal. More Trending It added fuel to the theory that Cain was innocent but it wasn't enough to sway Tracy. Throughout the entire instalment, she remained convinced that Cain killed his own son. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! That afternoon, John found Cain at the garage attempting to fix a bike. The beloved character broke down and admitted that it feels like he can't grieve for Nate because of Tracy and the constant police interference. John asserted that the police would be off Cain's back soon, and then spied Frankie's playhouse in the garden of Tracy's. An idea forming, John will soon plant Nate's phone in Frankie's playhouse. The police will search the premises and find the phone, therefore taking the heat off Cain and putting it onto Tracy instead. View More » MORE: Another huge Nate discovery is made in Emmerdale that turns everything on its head MORE: The police corner Vanessa in huge Emmerdale murder story MORE: Emmerdale confirms major Nate news in ITVX release – and it changes everything for the 'suspects'
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Woman hit in face by man who sexually assaulted her on train as cops release photos in urgent hunt for attacker
COPS have released photos of a man after a woman was sexually assaulted on a train before commuters intervened. A man sat next to a woman who was on the Elizabeth Line on May 16 and assaulted her. 3 She shouted at him to stop, and the thug hit her in the face. Other passengers bravely leapt to her defence and pushed him away. He was on the Tube from Stratford station to Forest Gate. Cops have released images of a man they want to speak to in connection to the horror assault. He has short cropped hair and a cream bodywarmer, jeans and grey trainers. Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016, or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 727 of 16 May. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Daily Record
John Swinney's youth violence summit must deliver real change not just talk
John Swinney deserves credit when it comes to engaging with the public on the big issues facing the country. Not every minister in his government is so willing when it comes to listening to voices who may not necessarily agree with their party line. The SNP leader will host a summit on reducing youth violence across Scotland in a bid to prevent knife crime. But mum Vicky Donald surely speaks for many when she voiced fears that nothing will be done. She has demanded urgent action and 'real change'. The message is clear – John Swinney's latest summit can't be just another talking shop. The Scottish Government has also pledged that funding for the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit will rise by seven per cent, after fears it faced a budget cut. It comes in the wake of the tragic deaths of teenagers Amen Teklay, 15, and Kayden Moy, 16, who both died this year after being stabbed. Another youth was also seriously injured but survived following an altercation in Edinburgh. The Record has repeatedly reported that violence is a real problem in some secondary schools, with teachers seemingly powerless to punish the worst perpetrators. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Real action has to be taken so our youngsters can feel safe, whether they are in the classroom or out socialising. The vast majority of young Scots are well-mannered and a credit to their families. But a violent minority cannot be left to cause havoc and risk more lives being lost. Be a donor hero Giving blood is one of the easiest ways you can save someone else's life. It's a quick and painless process that the vast majority of adults could easily undertake a few times a year. Appointments can now be made online, making donating even easier. There are many Scots who give blood regularly but the service can't rely on a few people doing all the work. At least 10,000 new volunteers are needed to step up and help keep bloodstocks at their required levels. More than half of regular donors are now aged 45 and over. Put simply, younger Scots need to be encouraged to step up and help save lives. You never know when you or a loved one could require a blood transfusion. It's never too late to become a blood donor for the first time.
