The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is seeking information relating to a buzzard found on the R422 south of Emo, Co. Laois.
The bird was discovered at 7:50am on Saturday, December 5.
The NPWS said it was on a tree on the roadside when it was shot with a shotgun. The firearm was discharged from the road on the south of the village adding that a vehicle was used in the illegal act.
The investigating wildlife ranger said: ‘’The shot was heard and the dead buzzard was found by a member of the public. A spent shotgun cartridge was also found.
The NPWS is interested in information relating to a vehicle that was recorded in the area on CCTV.
“It is believed that individuals may be driving around looking for buzzards perched on the roadside and then shooting them from a vehicle.”
The NPWS is liaising with Coillte (the landowners) and An Garda Síochána in Portlaoise in relation to offences under a range of legislation including the Firearms Acts and the Road Traffic Acts.
The public is being asked to report any vehicles or persons acting suspiciously last Saturday morning (December 5) in the Emo area.
What is a buzzard?
The common buzzard is a protected species under the Wildlife Acts.
The have small feet for their size, which means they only hunt small prey.
Buzzards were driven to extinction in Ireland by the early part of the 20th century, but re-colonised after a significant absence. Its re-establishment is mostly attributed to the banning of poisons and shooting.