Around 100 dead birds have been dumped at a loch in Highland Perthshire in a suspected illegal cull.
The grim discovery was made less than five miles from Strathbraan where licences to shoot 300 ravens were suspended last year due to public anger over culling.
The disturbing scene was discovered by a dog walker who spotted dozens of carcasses, believed to be young ravens or crows, floating on Loch Freuchie.
Brenda Henderson, from Crieff, said she was “shocked” to see the dead birds dumped in the popular fishing spot.
Ms Henderson said: “We went for a walk up past Amulree with the dogs and came across them (the birds) in the water.
“They all looked like young crows, there must have been close to 100.
“It was quite alarming.
“We looked over the wee bridge you walk over and saw them all. There were more that went right out and round the corner (of the loch).
“It had to be a definite cull off some sort. I was very shocked to see this.”
Scottish Natural Heritage, which licenses the culling of crows and ravens in the area, has reported the incident to Police Scotland.
A SNH spokesperson said: “These are disturbing photographs and while it is difficult to ascertain the circumstances from these pictures alone, we have reported this incident to Police Scotland for further investigation.
“We strongly encourage anyone who believes they have witnessed wildlife crime to contact the police as soon as possible.
“In cases such as these we advise that carcasses should not be handled and pets be kept away. We will assist the police with any inquiries they make.”
SNH sparked outrage last year when it issued a licence to shoot 300 ravens in the Strathbraan area of Perthshire.
The Strathbraan Community Collaboration for Waders (SCCW) wanted to control raven numbers in an effort to safeguard the dwindling population of nesting waders.
The move prompted a 170,000-signature petition and crowd-funded legal campaign, leading to the waders’ group voluntarily suspending the cull.
The find at Loch Freuchie is the latest in a string of incidents in Highland Perthshire in which birds have died or gone missing in suspected foul play.
