Appeal as peregrine falcon chick found abandoned

A LEADING animal welfare charity has launched an appeal for information after a peregrine falcon chick was found abandoned in a box by a roadside near Cowdenbeath.

The young raptor was found at the side of a road near Cowdenbeath. Picture: SSPCA

Inspectors with the Scottish Scottish SPCA are investigating the possibility that the young raptor may have been hand reared after being taken from the wild.

The SSPCA took the young bird of prey into its care after a member of the public found the chick at a lay-by on the B981 between Cowdenbeath and Hill of Beath at around 10pm on Monday night.

The chick is now being cared for at the charity’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre at Fishcross near Alloa.

Senior Inspector Steven Gray said: “The peregrine is believed to be female, around four weeks old and appears to have been hand-reared. She bears no identification rings, which we would expect to see on a

bird born in captivity, therefore we cannot rule out the possibility that she may have been taken from the wild.”

She continued: “We are keen to speak to anyone who has seen this very distinctive bird prior to her abandonment on Monday night.”

An SSPCA spokeswoman said: “All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law and therefore it is an offence to take a wild bird or their eggs and it is also an offence to be in possession or control of a wild bird.

“Abandoning an animal is an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. Anyone found guilty of doing so can expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life. Anyone with information is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999 or the Police.”