A protected bird has suffered an “agonising” death after being poisoned by a banned pesticide.
A dog walker discovered the red kite dead on the ground near a popular woodland walking trail adjacent to farmland.
Cops are investigating the cruel death.
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There are only 6,000 pairs of the birds of prey left in the UK.
It was found at Spinningdale, near Dornoch, East Sutherland, Scotland.
The dog walker called RSPB Scotland who notified Police Scotland and the bird was sent for a post-mortem examination and toxicology analysis.
The test found Carbofuran – a highly toxic pesticide that has been banned for over 20 years – was the cause of the bird’s death.
A quarter of a teaspoon of the chemical compound is enough to kill a human.
Police Scotland and partner agencies conducted a search of the area but found no evidence that enabled them to identify a suspect.
It is a crime to kill or attempt to kill a bird of prey and anyone caught doing so faces a fine or even jail.
The latest Birdcrime report released in October found there were 159 poisoning incidents involving birds of prey between 2009 and 2024 in Scotland.
In recent years, Carbofuran has become the pesticide most frequently associated with bird of prey persecution.
And of all UK counties, the Highland area had the second highest number of confirmed incidents of raptor persecution during the same 15-year period, as reported by Need To Know.
Ian Thomson, RSPB Investigations Manager, said: “We are very grateful to the person that found this dead kite for reporting it to us.
“It is appalling that individuals are still using this poison, decades after it was banned and this bird will have suffered an agonising and horrific death.
“Carbofuran is a highly toxic substance and is one of several banned pesticides still used by criminals targeting birds of prey or other protected wildlife.
“Its possession or use is illegal and placing it out in the open poses a potentially deadly and indiscriminate risk not only to wildlife but to people and pets.
“We ask anyone using the area to be vigilant if they find anything suspicious, don’t touch, but do take photos and report to Police Scotland immediately on 101.”
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