Bird carcasses found 'pegged up' in suspected wildlife poisoning effort in Derry

An investigation into potential wildlife poisoning has been launched by police after the carcasses of game birds were discovered “pegged up” in Londonderry.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said that the birds were left in the Victoria Road area “in order to poison wildlife”.

Posting an image of the dead birds on its Foyle Facebook page, the force appealed for information in the investigation.

It said the carcasses and raw meat were being examined to find out “what surprises” had been left on them.

In its latest bird crime report, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) confirmed five cases of bird persecution in Northern Ireland in 2017, including one incident in Londonderry.

But wildlife expert Mick Conway, who works at the Roe Valley County park, told BBC News that the likely target of the poison is foxes.

"Foxes and badgers are targeted a lot. More than people might realise,” he said.

A PSNI spokesperson wrote: "The current popular poisons used for wildlife crime are toxic to humans and potentially fatal to children. It beggars belief that these have been left in a public place where kids could pick them up."

They added: “An investigation has commenced, the reference number is CCS 1208 16/2/19 anyone with any information please ring 101.”