Home / Environment / Illegal Trap Kills Protected Sparrowhawk Near Inverness
Illegal Trap Kills Protected Sparrowhawk Near Inverness
12 May
Summary
- A protected sparrowhawk was euthanized after getting caught in an illegal trap.
- The bird suffered a catastrophic leg injury, making euthanasia necessary.
- Wildlife officers are investigating the serious wildlife offense near Fortrose.
A protected sparrowhawk was euthanized after becoming ensnared in an illegal trap near Inverness. The incident occurred on April 4th, with the bird discovered near the Fairy Glen Nature Reserve in Fortrose, its leg caught in the device.
Wildlife officers from the Scottish SPCA responded, determining the trap caused a catastrophic leg-break injury. Due to the severity of the wound and the bird's extreme pain, euthanasia was deemed necessary. This incident is being treated as a serious wildlife offense.
Investigations are underway to understand the full circumstances surrounding the illegal trap. A spokesperson for the Scottish SPCA emphasized the unnecessary suffering inflicted upon the bird. Fenn traps are legal only under specific conditions, requiring tunnels to protect non-target species, a condition not met in this case, rendering the trap illegal.
