Vandals endanger rare species

SECURITY is being stepped up at an unidentified RMC Aggregates (Northern) quarry in North Yorkshire after vandals broke into the site and shot dead three rare peregrine falcon fledglings. The adult birds, which have nested at the quarry for a number of years, escaped unharmed.

‘Peregrine falcons are an endangered species and are protected in Britain but their numbers have been slowly increasing after being driven to the brink of extinction between the 1950s and 1970s,’ said RMC Aggregates (Northern) general manager Stuart Keighley.

‘Everyone at the quarry took a great deal of pride in protecting the birds and enjoyed watching the pair return each year. We are all very upset about the shooting and hope the adults will return next year to raise another brood.’

RMC Aggregates are now reviewing security at the quarry, which cannot be named to protect future nesting peregrine falcons, and at other sites in the UK to prevent any further malicious attacks on wildlife. The company have also offered a £1,000 reward for information that leads to a successful prosecution.