Police Scotland and CNPA statement: Dead geese

Statement from Police Scotland and the Cairngorms National Park Authority: ‘On the 26th April 4 dead geese were found by estate workers nr Kingussie and reported to DEFRA. These geese were collected by the public authorities  and taken for analysis. On the 20 May it was confirmed that the birds had died from ingestion of a banned pesticide. Police Scotland were notified and carried out a search of the area where the geese were found and recovered a small container which was  sent for testing. The area was cordoned off to the public and a press release issued by Police Scotland. Police Scotland accompanied by the Rural Payments and Inspectorate Division inspected a wider area on 29 May but found no further issues in the area. On the 4 June it was confirmed that the recovered small container  did contain  limited traces of a banned pesticide and it has now been sent for further analysis. This is an ongoing investigation and we will inform people as further information becomes available.’