Reward offered after discovery of dead buzzard

A reward of up to �1000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for shooting a buzzard which was found dead on a Norfolk country estate.

The bird, which is a protected species, was found last month but it is being stressed that although found on the Holkham Estate in North Norfolk, it could have been shot elsewhere, flew for some distance, before falling from the sky.

A post mortem and forensic examination of the bird revealed that its body contained one pellet from a shotgun and that it would have been fired at from some distance.

Holkham Estate's director. David Horton-Fawkes said : 'We have given our very full co-operation to the police and the RSPB on this matter and will continue to do so. In addition we have put forward a reward of �500.'

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds officers and the police are working together to identify who was responsible for the killing.

Head of Investigations for the RSPB, Ian West, said that the discovery of shot protected birds was an all too frequent occurrence.

Mr West said that since the bird was found on August 7 police have been following confidential lines of inquiry before appealing for the public's help.

The RSPB and the Holkham Estate have together offered a reward of up to �1000 to help bring the culprits to justice.

Police are anxious to hear from people who have given them some early details.

'We are anxious for the individual who contacted us originally to come back to use with more information and for anyone else with information to contact us,' said a spokesman.

Buzzards are a protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and the persons responsible for killing the birds can be fined and/or sentenced to a prison term.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Norfolk police on 0845 456 4567 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.