'Wildlife crime, which includes raptor persecution, is a blight on the Northern Irish countryside'
Concern has been expressed after it emerged there have been 89 confirmed incidents in Northern Ireland of birds of prey being illegally killed since 2009.
RSPB NI said there is a significant impact on species that are already struggling, including red kites which vanished entirely from Northern Ireland due to illegal persecution 200 years ago and were re-introduced in 2008. Meanwhile, since 2009, at least 64 birds of prey have been victims of confirmed poisoning incidents. These cases often involve baits laced with pesticides being deliberately placed in the countryside.
“Persecution of our birds of prey, particularly the poisoning of birds, is not only having population scale consequences on species, but also has serious health and safety implications for the people of Northern Ireland.
PSNI Co Down Biodiversity Co Antrim
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