Injured buzzard released back into the wild

Police have released a video showing the moment an injured bird of prey was released back into the wild by an officer.

Police have released a video showing the moment an injured bird of prey was released back into the wild by an officer.

On 26 March, North Yorkshire Police received a report of concern for the welfare of a buzzard that had been caught in a trap in the Ryedale area.

Officers attended with colleagues from the RSPCA, and the buzzard was safely removed.

It was later collected by Jean Thorpe of the Ryedale Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, who cared for the buzzard until it was ready for release.

Two weeks later, North Yorkshire Police wildlife crime officer PC Jeremy Walmsley – who practised his bird of prey handling skills with Jean – was given the honour of releasing the buzzard back into the wild.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the buzzard’s injuries is ongoing.