Wounded osprey put down after illegal shooting

An Osprey was found with severe injuries in the Glen Doll area of the Cairngorms.

An injured osprey found by a gamekeeper in the Glen Doll area of the Cairngorms National Park has been euthanised due to severe injuries.

The bird was taken to a wildlife resource centre for treatment where X-rays revealed it had been shot.

Police Scotland were contacted and officers are working with other agencies to investigate the full circumstances of the incident.

It is illegal to kill an osprey as a protected species listed on the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

Det Con Daniel Crilley of the wildlife crime investigation unit said: "Information from the local community is vital and I’d ask anyone who was in the area around 12 August and thinks they may have information which could assist our enquiries to come forward.

"We’re keen to speak to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or has information about shooting activity in the area."

Anyone with information has been urged to contact Police Scotland on the non-emergency line.