Yesterday, Lancashire Police's Rural Crime Taskforce reported the disappearance of a satellite-tagged hen harrier in the Forest of Bowland National Landscape.
The bird went missing, with the tag suffering catastrophic failure, over 4th/ 5th May in Mallowdale, an area of moorland to the south of the village of Wray. The Rural Taskforce and National Wildlife Crime Unit have since carried out a search of the area but have been unsuccessful in locating the missing bird.
Lancashire Police have issued an appeal to the public for information. Please contact the Rural Crime Taskforce via 101 or email RuralTaskForce@lancashire.police.uk and quote log number LC-20230516-0307.
Elliott Lorimer, Forest of Bowland National Landscape Partnership Manager commented:
"The disappearance and failure of this satellite tagged Hen harrier is very concerning. The Forest of Bowland is often considered a stronghold for this protected species, with conservation efforts in the area aiding the recovery of this threatened bird. So, any loss in such circumstances is particularly upsetting. I would strongly urge members of the public to contact Lancashire Police if they have any information that could relate to the disappearance of this bird."