The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (DCHG) are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a protected species, a hen harrier in Co. Meath.
A hen harrier, which is a bird of prey and a protected species under the Wildlife Acts 1976-2012, was found to have died as a result of poisoning near Drumcondra, according to the authority.
Evidence gathered at the scene included meat baits which had been treated with a toxic substance.
The activity has major implications for important scientific studies being carried out by the NPWS.
The hen harrier was among the birds being tracked by ornithologists by way of a small satellite tracking device.
The results of these studies would yield important information on the bird’s ecology to help conservation managers hone measures to protect this and other vulnerable species.
The authority is also asking for any suspicious activity to be reported to it and to Gardaí in the area.