ILLEGAL spring traps have been found set on moorland in the Cairngorms National Park, prompting an investigation by Police Scotland's wildlife crime unit.

Members of the public spotted the side-by-side traps – with a gull caught in them – while walking down the northern slopes of Geallaig Hill, a few miles north west of Ballater, at the end of June. The traps had been baited with a dead rabbit.

A Scottish SPCA spokesman said: “It was only by sheer luck that these traps, well away from normal public access, were found by the witnesses, and it is to their credit that this was reported quickly to allow the gull’s suffering to be brought to an end.”

A follow-up search of the area a few days later, carried out by Wildlife Crime Officers from Police Scotland, assisted by staff from the Scottish SPCA and RSPB Scotland, found 'clear evidence' that eight similar traps had been deployed, attached to stakes and baited with dead rabbits, in a line stretching two hundred metres across the moor. It was also evident, said the RSPB, that these traps had been removed very recently.

Police Scotland officers have since spoken to a number of people involved in the management of the land on which the traps were found, but the identity of who actually set the traps has not yet been established.

RSPB Scotland's Ian Thomson said: “The deployment of these illegal traps has resulted in the killing of protected birds, with other specially protected species such as golden eagles, red kites or hen harriers also potentially at serious risk from this indiscriminate activity. The fact that this occurred within the Cairngorms National Park, an area that should be a showcase for the best of Scotland’s wildlife, makes this all the more appalling.

“It is disappointing that the perpetrator of these offences has not been identified, as is often the case with wildlife crimes.”

Scottish Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham commented: "All forms of wildlife crime are unacceptable and I condemn the illegal use of spring traps wherever it takes place.

"In Deeside, the use of them has resulted in tremendous suffering for a gull which had to be euthanised. It is difficult to see their use as anything other than a blatant and criminal attempt to target protected birds of prey. The Scottish Government takes this issue extremely seriously and I urge anyone with any information about criminal activity intending to harm our wildlife to contact Police Scotland.”

A spokesman for Invercauld Estate said: “The Estate became aware this morning of a press release issued by the RSPB with regards to an allegation that a common gull had been caught in a trap on land at Geallaig Hill.

“We have spoken with the police who we understand searched the site and we have also undertaken our own internal investigation. We understand the police did not find evidence of illegal activity and our own enquiry has led to a similar conclusion.

“Nevertheless, we are extremely concerned by the allegations made in the RSPB press release and condemn outright any unlawful activity. We echo the appeal by Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Roseanna Cunningham, for anyone with information on this incident or any wildlife crime to contact Police Scotland.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Gamekeepers Association said: “This is the first we, as an organisation, have heard about this so we will take time to make the appropriate inquiries. The SGA is an organisation which advocates best practice and condemns wildlife crime.”