Man charged after 20 birds of prey found dead in Dumfries and Galloway

A 64-year-old man has been charged with a number of wildlife crime offences after more than 20 birds of prey were found dead in Dumfries and Galloway.

A police investigation found that the birds had been poisoned with banned pesticides. The offences took place in the Springholm area near Castle Douglas between 2018 and 2020.

A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Wildlife Crime Officer Constable John Cowan said: "Residents in Springholm and the surrounding area as well as wildlife enthusiasts further afield will be only too well aware of a worrying rise in poisonings in and around the Springholm area over the last few years following on from previous appeals for information.

"Working alongside partners such as the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), SSPCA (Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture), SAC (Scottish Agricultural College), SGRPID (Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Division), Scottish National Heritage and Scottish Land and Estates, there has been an overwhelming collective determination to halt these incidents."