WARNING: Graphic image below.

A bird of prey that got caught in an illegal trap on a Perthshire grouse moor experienced "significant unnecessary suffering" before it died.

Police are now investigating the death of the satellite-tagged hen harrier, which was recovered between Aberfeldy and Crieff in May.

The post-mortem report from SRUC veterinary laboratory said: "The bird was trapped by the left leg in a spring trap at time of death.

"Death will have been due to a combination of shock and blood loss if it died quickly or to exposure and dehydration/starvation if it died slowly.

"Either way the bird will have experienced significant unnecessary suffering."

The female hen harrier - called Rannoch - had been tagged through the RSPB's Hen Harrier Life project in July 2017.

Data showed that she stopped moving in November 2018, however the solar-powered tag battery drained before her exact location was established.

The tag briefly transmitted more data in January this year, and again in May when it recharged in the spring sunlight.

RSPB Scotland officers then recovered Rannoch's remains.

Dr Cathleen Thomas, project manager for the Hen Harrier Life project, said: "We are absolutely devastated that Rannoch has been a victim of crime; the life of this beautiful bird was cut short in the most horrific way due to human actions.

"Satellite tagging has revealed the amazing journeys made by hen harriers but also uncovers how their journeys end.

"Often the birds disappear with their tags suddenly ceasing to function as perpetrators go to great lengths to hide the evidence of their crimes; Rannoch's death in a spring trap is evidence of one way in which these birds are being killed.

"In terms of their population size, hen harriers are the most persecuted bird of prey in the UK, and their population is now perilously low, so every loss we suffer impacts the continued survival of the species."

Ian Thomson, head of investigations at RSPB Scotland, added: "This latest killing of a hen harrier is truly appalling.

"The actions of the individual who set this trap were both reckless and indiscriminate, and showed a complete disregard for both the law and the welfare of local wildlife."

A Police Scotland spokesman confirmed that an investigation has been launched.

He said: "Police Scotland can confirm it has received a report regarding a hen harrier having been caught in a spring trap in an area of land between Aberfeldy and Glen Almond, and an investigation into the circumstances is ongoing."

A spokesman from The Scottish Gamekeepers Association said: "As an organisation, where there is proven criminality, we share the abhorrence felt when a bird of prey is illegally killed.

"If such a case involves a SGA member, we take firm and appropriate action by revoking membership, as we have done on seven occasions in the past seven years.

"In this case, we understand that the estates cooperated fully with police, and police did not treat anyone as a suspect.

"The estates have made it clear they were not responsible for the setting of the trap.

"A number of things may have happened to the bird in the lengthy intervening period between the tag signalling in November then again in May.

"We are aware that grouse moors are currently the subject of governmental review, with some organisations actively seeking legislation of the sector.

"However, we consider it irresponsible for assertions of guilt to be levelled with no supporting evidence during a live investigation and at a time when police do not consider staff at the estates to be suspects.

"All evidence from the tag should be made available for independent scrutiny; something which does not happen currently.

"It appears this tag was going on and off over long periods which begs questions as to what can actually be known.

"Perhaps with greater transparency surrounding the tag data, those responsible can be caught and brought to justice."

If you have any information in relation to Rannoch's death, call the police on 101 or the RSPB's confidential raptor crime hotline on 0300 999 0101.