Police have confirmed that the number of birds of prey confirmed as being killed by poison in the recent incident has risen by one.
There are now 12 red kites and four buzzards that tests have proved as being poisoned around the Conon Bridge area. Toxicology investigations on the remaining six birds – four red kites and two buzzards – found dead in one of Scotland’s worst ever raptor mass poisonings are continuing.
The total reward being offered for information leading to the conviction of the culprit has risen to over £32,000.
The birds were found since March 18 on a two square mile area to the south-east of Conon Bridge, around Conon Brae, Balvail, Leanaig and Alcaig sparking off the investigation by Police Scotland.
Many of the red kites were tagged when they were chicks as part of a conservation project. They include a 16-year-old female kite tagged in 1998.
The head of the Scottish Government’s wildlife watchdog has said the Black Isle raptor poisonings risk badly damaging Scotland’s £1.4 billion eco tourism industry.
Ian Ross, Chairman of Scottish Natural Heritage, attacked those responsible for causing “an appalling level of natural heritage and wildlife damage.” Mr Ross said the deaths were “shocking, grim and distressing.”
Police have raided a number of Black Isle farms during the investigation of the illegal killings. A group of farmers and landowners from the Moray Firth have come together and pledged a reward of £12,000 for information about the deaths.
A Police Scotland spokesman said investigations were continuing. He declined to identify the type of poison used as it was a key part of the investigation.