Authorities have issued a call for information following the death of an osprey that was discovered shot in Cairngorms National Park.

The distressed bird was found by a gamekeeper in the Glen Doll area, near Kirriemuir in the Angus Glens, on Monday, August 12.

The Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) was notified, and the osprey was transported to the charity's National Wildlife Centre in Fishcross, Clackmannanshire, for medical care.

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Unfortunately, due to the severity of its injuries, the vets had to euthanise the bird. Subsequent X-rays revealed it had been shot, prompting the involvement of Police Scotland.

Ospreys were once extinct in the UK during the early 20th century, but conservation efforts have led to a population of around 300 breeding pairs, mostly located in Scotland.

Detective constable Daniel Crilley from the wildlife crime team emphasised the illegality of killing protected species and stressed the importance of community assistance in the investigation. He urged anyone who was in the area around August 12 and who may have relevant information to come forward, particularly those who might have observed suspicious activity or shooting in the vicinity.

Ross Ewing, the director of moorland at Scottish Land and Estates, which represents landowners and rural businesses, expressed support for Police Scotland's appeal for information.

He highlighted: “It is distressing that the osprey had to be euthanised despite the best efforts of the gamekeeper and the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to attend to the injured bird. We hope the circumstances of this incident can be established as quickly as possible as we continue to strive to tackle all forms of crime against birds of prey and wildlife.”

A spokesperson for the SSPCA confirmed that an animal rescue officer had responded to the incident, transporting the injured bird, which was unable to fly, to the National Wildlife Rescue Centre.

Ian Thomson, head of investigations at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scotland, expressed discontent over the incident: “It’s really disappointing to hear about this case, not least because of the suffering this bird will have endured. All credit to those involved in catching the injured bird and the efforts made, sadly in vain, to try to tend to its injuries.

“Although Scotland’s ospreys are doing well, their population is still recovering from a period when they were absent as a breeding species here, largely due to persecution. While it’s rare to hear about such cases these days, obviously there are still those who have a Victorian attitude towards protected wildlife at large in our countryside.”