A national organisation representing landowners has denied speculation that a recent illegal raptor killing in the Highlands was connected with grouse management.
A red kite was found injured near Tomatin on August 30 by a member of the public, who notified a gamekeeper on a neighbouring estate who then reported it to police.
Despite being transferred to a local vet and then to specialist care of the Scottish SPCA, the bird’s health deteriorated and it was put down.
The nature of the injuries remains undisclosed because it is part of a police inquiry. But early examination shows the death was not due to natural causes.
Scottish Land and Estates has issued a statement to say the estate and its gamekeepers has worked with police to establish how the bird came to be injured.
A spokesman said: “This is a good example of partnership working between estates, police and the Scottish SPCA to try, first and foremost, to save the life of a bird – and secondly to find out how the injury had been caused.
“The Partnership for Against Wildlife Crime Scotland was set up to drive forward just this sort of cooperation and effective partnership working to eradicate wildlife crime.”
It added: “We believe that sensationalist comment based on inaccurate information and speculation do nothing to help this process.”
To report any suspicious activity, or anyone with information about the incident, should call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.