A CHARITY has condemned the shooting of wild birds, leaving them dead or dying at a North Yorkshire nature reserve.

A number of Canada and greylag geese and a mute swan were discovered at Norton Mills Lake in North Stainley, near Ripon, on Friday, April 19, by an ecological survey team in the area.

Many of the geese were already dead but others had been severely injured and left to die, and post-mortem examination results showed that the birds were shot through the wings and legs with a large calibre rifle.

Ripon Police are appealing for information after the attack, which could also have put members of the public and the ecology team at risk of being shot.

The lake is considered to be one of the most important wildlife sites in the north of England, and the police said the incident will have a detrimental effect on protected species at the lake, including nesting birds.

The RSPB, RSPCA, The National Wildlife Crime Unit and Natural England are providing support in this investigation.

PC Simon Crossley, a wildlife crime officer with North Yorkshire Police, said: “This is an utterly barbaric and sickening attack which has caused quite appalling and prolonged suffering.

“It is beyond belief that someone could take any pleasure from causing this amount of suffering.

“The use of firearms in the area is absolutely reckless and could have placed other people in danger.

“I urge anyone who can identify those responsible to contact the police immediately.”

Chris Collett from the RSPB said: “This seems like a very cruel and callous crime, and it seems like many of the birds were left to die and would have suffered a great deal.

“We would urge anyone with information to contact the police to help with the investigation.”

PC Crossley added: “I would like to thank the other agencies who are assisting with this investigation.”

Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask Simon Crossley. Alternatively information can be emailed to simon.crossley@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

Or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111 quoting reference number 12130064101.