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Tayside Police is appealing for information after two oyster catchers were found shot dead in the Perth area.
An adult bird was found dead on the morning of Monday, June 2. It was discovered lying on a grassy area between the road and buildings in Bertha Park View - a cul-de-sac in Inveralmond Industrial Estate. It was one of several pairs of oyster catchers that had been nesting in the area. Investigations established that the bird had been shot and a subsequent x-ray revealed that the pellet had gone right through the bird.
Another oyster catcher, possibly its mate, was found crushed on the roadway. The clear cause of death could not be established because of its condition. A week later on Monday (June 9), a dead oyster catcher chick was discovered in Bertha Park View. It too had been shot and an air pellet was recovered from the bird’s neck. It was an immature and vulnerable bird which was unable to fly.
Alan Stewart, Tayside Police wildlife and environmental crime officer, said "These are crimes which amount to nothing other than sheer wickedness. Oyster catchers are not pests, nor are they something that a person would take home to eat. Whoever was responsible clearly decided to single out these birds on this occasion and I would urge anyone with information to come forward before they cause any further harm to birds, animals or possibly even people.’"
Anyone who can help the investigation, or who has found other dead birds in the Inveralmond area is asked to contact Tayside Police on 0845 600 5705, or call Alan Stewart direct on 01738 892650.
Bertha Park View
Inveralmond Industrial Estate
Perth
Perthshire
PH1
