Four buzzards, a crow and a rabbit have been killed in a suspected poisoning incident in Co Armagh.

Police are appealing for information after discovering that the animals had been poisoned with a substance called Alphachoralose. They were found dead in the Drumbanagher area near Poyntzpass on Monday, July 28.

Bessbrook PSNI sector inspector David Beck said: “Wildlife forms an important part of our natural heritage, and we don't intend to tolerate incidents such as this. Anyone with information should come forward as doing so will help make sure those responsible go before the courts.”

It is unclear whether the buzzards — a species afforded the highest level of wildlife protection — were poisoned deliberately or the killings were a by-product of an attempt to target pests.

Malcolm Downey of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland warned the group takes misuse of poison very seriously.

“It is illegal for anyone without an appropriate licence to take or kill birds using stupefying bait such as Alphachloralose. We encourage anyone with any information relating to this incident to contact the relevant authorities,” he said.

Dr Marc Ruddock, secretary of the Northern Ireland Raptor Group, said buzzards are protected under law from being shot, poisoned or having their nesting sites disturbed in breeding season.

The species had declined in Ireland almost to the point of extinction in the earlier part of the 20th century but gradually recolonised from populations in Scotland and Rathlin and is now thought to be Northern Ireland’s most widespread raptor, he said.

“Very often poison is non-specific — normally this would be used in open meat baits used for targeting pests and unfortunately the buzzards often come down and feed on them,” said Dr Ruddock.