Shot buzzard found in Fife woodland

A buzzard has been found shot dead in a Fife woodland.

Police say the protected bird of prey was located in Mominail, near Ladybank, by a member of the public on the morning of Sunday 9 April.

An appeal for information has been launched by officers.

Detective Constable Ben Pacholek, wildlife crime liaison officer with Police Scotland, said: "It is sad and disappointing to find this dead bird which would have suffered a lingering and agonising death after being deliberately shot.

"Buzzards are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and I am appealing to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the wooded area to get in touch.

"We reply on the public to help us tackle wildlife crime and I urge anyone in the local and wider community to come forward if they have any information about who may have been responsible.

"If you can assist with our enquiries then please call us on 101, quoting incident number 2689 of Sunday, 9 April, 2022."

The force has more information about wildlife crime on its website.