Appeal After Peregrine Falcon Dies After Being Shot

An appeal for information has been launched after a peregrine falcon died after being shot.

The bird was one of this year’s chicks from Leicester Cathedral and was found grounded yesterday in a garden on Smeeton Road in Kibworth.

Staff from Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital collected the peregrine, but it sadly had to be put to sleep due to a severe break to its right humerus, believed to have been caused by a fall after being shot with what is thought to have been an air rifle.

The bird was found grounded in Kibworth yesterday.

The incident is believed to have occurred between December 21st and 23rd and the Leicestershire and Rutland Ornithological Society (LROS), which monitors the birds of prey, has described it as ‘barbaric’.

Peregrine falcons are a Schedule 1 protected species in the UK, meaning it is illegal to intentionally harm or kill them.

The case has been reported to Leicestershire Police, and anyone with information is urged to come forward.

Anyone who can help should call 101 and quote reference number 25000748549.