Protected bird fatally wounded

The injured buzzard found on the Sledmere Estate.

A bird of prey was put down after being injured by the raptor equivalent of a landmine in East Yorkshire, the RSPB said.

The charity said the buzzard’s injuries were consistent with illegal trapping and it is offering a £1,000 reward to anyone who provides information that could lead to a conviction relating to the incident.

The creature was found alive on January 21 on the Sledmere Estate near Driffield, missing a foot and with broken tail feathers. Illegal trapping carries a maximum penalty of a £5,000 fine and/or six months imprisonment.

Bob Elliot, head of RSPB investigations, said: “Setting spring traps in the open is a cruel and criminal practice, which harms birds of prey in the most horrible way. These devices are the raptor equivalent of a land mine – deadly and indiscriminate. I would urge anyone with information to contact the police immediately.”

To speak to Humberside Police about the incident, call Sergeant Dave Jenkins on 101.