A red kite is among the latest poisoning victim in the Tayside Police area. Brian Scott

Police are appealing for help after a red kite was found dead in the southern Highlands.

The body of the bird was found in Strathtay, near Aberfeldy at the end of July.

Tayside Police said they believed the kite may have been dead for a few months, but tests carried out in Edinburgh by Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture confirmed that the bird had been poisoned.

Police are urging walkers and any other members of the public who might have information about the raptor’s death to contact them.

The dead kite is the latest in a list of shame in the Tayside Police area, which includes 14 buzzards, two tawny owls, two sparrowhawks, two crows, a common gull, a polecat and a domestic cat from the same area, all of which had been poisoned. In addition a total of 12 poisoned baits have been recovered. Five of the buzzards and a tawny owl were found no later than last year, though the red kite is the first to have been found in Strathtay.

Alan Stewart, Tayside Police wildlife crime officer, said: “There is no doubt that the scourge of poisoning wildlife in Scotland has decreased in general terms in recent years. However there remain a number of ‘hotspots’ that blight our civilisation and our reputation worldwide.”

Anyone with any information that can assist with this poisoning investigation, or with information on wildlife crime in general, is asked to contact Tayside Police on 0300 111 2222, or speak to Mr Stewart on 01738 892650.