Bird of prey 'shot dead' in Aberdeenshire as two men charged in connection

Daily Record

02-05-2025

The red kite was killed in Glenbuchat, near Strathdon, sometime between Monday, February 3 and Tuesday, February 4.
Two men have been arrested and charged after a bird of prey was "shot dead" in Aberdeenshire. Officers received a report that a red kite had been killed in Glenbuchat, near Strathdon, sometime between Monday, February 3 and Tuesday, February 4.
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.
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At the time officers appealed for information - and police have now confirmed that two men, aged 39 and 42, have been arrested and charged in connection with wildlife offences.
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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."
In an earlier release, Detective Constable Danny Crilley, of Police Scotland's Wildlife Crime Unit, said red kites are a protected species. It comes after new statistics suggest a 23% decrease in wildlife crime offences in 2022-23.
Figures published by the Scottish Government show there were 66 fewer wildlife offences in 2022-23 compared to 2021-2022.
The government said the statistics, which were recorded by Police Scotland, suggest the crimes had almost returned to pre-Covid pandemic levels.
The highest numbers of offences were recorded in the Highlands and Islands - 35 - followed by 32 in Lothian and Scottish Borders and 32 in north-east Scotland.
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The figures suggested 31% of offences involved birds and 25% were fish poaching incidents. Landowners organisation Scottish Land and Estates has welcomed the fall in offences.
Ross Ewing, director of moorland, said: "This report provides clear and compelling evidence that wildlife crime in Scotland is in decline, thanks to stringent enforcement measures and the collective efforts of land managers and law enforcement agencies.
"Scotland has the toughest penalties for wildlife crime anywhere in the UK, and NatureScot's ability to revoke general licences is a strong deterrent to wrongdoing. We are pleased to see that these measures are having the desired effect."