Police Scotland has issued the following press statement:
RAVEN FOUND DEAD IN ABERDEENSHIRE
An investigation is under way after a raven was found dead in an area of the Invercauld Estate in Aberdeenshire.
On Friday, 12 May 2023, game keepers at the Estate contacted police after they found a dead raven next to a number of broken eggs. Officers attended and removed the bird and the egg shells.
The egg shell and matter has been analysed and has tested positive for pesticide. Officers are awaiting toxicology results for the raven.
Constable Hannah Corbett said: “We take wildlife crime extremely seriously and a number of lines of inquiry are being followed up. However, I would like to appeal to the local community for any information they may have about this matter. Did you see anything suspicious, have you overheard anyone talking about this? Any small piece of information could prove significant in investigating the cruel and callous death of the raven. Please do contact us.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 1307 of 12 May 2023. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
ENDS
Many of you will know that one part of Invercauld Estate is currently serving a three-year General Licence restriction, imposed by NatureScot after the discovery of an illegally poisoned golden eagle and illegal poisoned baits on an estate grouse moor in March 2021 (see here).
It’s not yet clear on which area of Invercauld Estate the latest poisoned baits were discovered – it’s a massive grouse-shooting estate that covers a large area of the Cairngorms National Park. It’ll be interesting to find out if these baits were found on the same shooting ‘beat’ as before or on another shooting ‘beat’ managed by a different party on a different part of the estate.
I applaud Police Scotland’s decision to publicise the discovery of the poisoned baits – not least to warn members of the public who might venture into the National Park and on to the estate with children and dogs, putting them at potential risk of great harm.
The early publicity is a welcome change to what had become a standard practice of complete silence from Police Scotland on raptor poisoning crimes (e.g. here, here, here).
Raptor Persecution UK 
Gamekeepers contacting Police Scotland to report a wildlife crime? Why is this suspicious to me – more duplicity? Bloody Invercauld again.
My thoughts too. False flag springs to mind
Was a land search carried out?
Was any partner agencies involved?
Press releases are good but are not a subsitute for a proper criminal investigation.
Detecting this type of crime is possible but needs resources and expertise…..
[Ed: Unless you can provide supportive evidence for your outlandish claim, your comment won’t be published. And btw, my tolerance of trolls has reached capacity]
I’m on the Clyde but cerrently refusing to board a banana boat heading upstream.
Uh?
Rabbits are off!
Hmmm
Attack,the best form of defence.
They might try and claim that people with an agenda against grouse shooting (in their words) are responsible. However it seems more likely to me that they’re just trying to generate positive PR so they can say “we condemn wildlife crime and are doing everything possible to stamp it out”. Is this the start of a trend among gamekeepers/estates to try and show that they’re cooperating with the police and others to stop raptor persecution?
Poison…….Crime………Invercauld ………xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx.
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