Police appeal after buzzard shot in national park

A buzzard has been shot in the North York Moors, prompting a police appeal for information.

The bird of prey was found in the Bransdale area of the national park on 4 May with shotgun pellets in its wing and a broken leg.

It was taken to a vet but had to be euthanised due to its injuries, North Yorkshire Police said.

Buzzards and other birds of prey are legally protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and to intentionally kill or injure one is a criminal offence.

Officers said they believed the bird's broken leg happened up to 48 hours before it was found and may have been caused by a "hard landing".

They urged anyone with information about how the bird came to be injured to contact the force.

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