Police are appealing for information after a buzzard was found dead near Heriot.
The discovery was made on Sunday, June 30 by a member of public next to a forestry plantation at Carcant Hill.
The bird of prey was in a badly decomposed state but forensix analysis has shown it had been shot with a shotgun pellet.
While tests have been unable to confirm if this injury resulted in the buzzard’s death, police are keen to hear from anyone who can assist with their enquiries.
PC Hannah Medley, Wildlife Crime Liaison Officer for Police Scotland, said: “This buzzard has been deliberately shot at some point, which is a crime.
“What we cannot establish at this time is where the bird was shot, or whether the injury caused its death and so anyone with information relevant to this investigation is asked to contact police immediately.”
Anyone with any information should contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.