MEMBERS of the public are being urged to report illegally set traps for birds of prey after a buzzard was found with fatal injuries.

The male bird had to be put down by a vet after it was caught in a field off Welham Road, in Norton.

A local racehorse trainer had spotted the injured buzzard and contacted Jean Thorpe, who runs Ryedale Wildlife Rehabilitation in the town.

Jean said she had taken it to Battleflatts Veterinary Clinic, in Stamford Bridge. However, an examination showed the bird had suffered a broken leg that had started to heal badly, suggesting it had been caught in a device known as a fenn trap.

“The injured leg had no blood supply and its thigh was dislocated where it had struggled to free itself,” she said.

“We estimated the injuries had taken place up to two weeks ago and the bird had become weak due to lack of food so sadly the decision had to be taken to put it to sleep.”

Jean said fenn traps were metal devices with jaws which snap shut when activated and by law they should be covered by a tunnel or cage to ensure that birds cannot land on them.

“Unfortunately this area is one of the worst in the country for the persecution of birds of prey,” she added.

“I would urge anyone who sees an illegally set fenn trap or is aware of them to contact the police, the RSPB or me.”

Jean, who was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours in recognition of her many years of work caring for sick and injured wildlife, added: “This makes me so angry because these people know birds of prey are protected and they know what they are doing but they think that they can get away with it if these things are done quietly and out of the way.”

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “Buzzards are a protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making it an offence kill or injure one of these majestic birds of prey.

“Therefore setting a trap is clearly a criminal offence and one which the police take very seriously.”

Anyone who has further information about this or other cases of people deliberately targeting buzzards or any other protected species, is asked to contact the police on 101 and ask for wildlife officer PC Jez Walmsley, the RSPB or email jeanthorpewildlife@gmail.com