Red kite killed by poisoned bait

There have been a number of schemes to reintroduce the bird across Scotland

A rare bird of prey has been found poisoned on a country estate near Galashiels in the Borders.

The carcass of the red kite was discovered earlier this month and subsequent tests have revealed it was killed illegally.

A number of houses have been searched during the investigation but so far no arrests have been made.

Police officers and the RSPB have been trying to find out who was responsible for laying the poisoned bait.

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police confirmed: "On Tuesday, 2 June a red kite was found dead in the Scottish Borders having been poisoned.

"As a result a number of house searches have been carried out in the area."

He added that enquiries were continuing and anyone with information regarding wildlife crime should contact the police.

The red kite became extinct as a Scottish breeding species in the late 19th century.

However, a number of successful reintroduction projects have taken place across the country in the last 20 years.

This latest incident is one of a number of setbacks to the species due to poisonings.