A SWAN and geese are among a number of wild birds shot dead at a North Yorkshire lake in an act described as “barbaric and sickening” by wildlife crime officers.

The killings were discovered at Norton Mills Lake, in North Stainley, near Ripon, when a member of an ecological survey team found Canada and Greylag geese and a mute swan.

North Yorkshire Police said a number of the geese were already dead. However, there were other birds which had been severely injured and left to die.

The birds had been shot through the wings and legs with a “large- calibre rifle”, according to post mortem examinations. Police in Ripon are now calling for help from the public to track down those responsible.

PC Simon Crossley, a wildlife crime officer with North Yorkshire Police, said: “This is an utterly barbaric and sickening attack which has caused quite appalling and prolonged suffering.

“It is beyond belief that someone could take any pleasure from causing this amount of suffering. The use of firearms in the area is absolutely reckless and could have placed other people in danger.

“I urge anyone who can identify those responsible to contact the police immediately.”

Investigators say those responsible have caused damage to one of the most important wildlife sites in the north of England and put members of the public and the ecology team at risk with the shootings.

The RSPB, RSPCA, The National Wildlife Crime Unit and Natural England are providing support in this investigation.

Anyone who can help with the investigation is asked to phone North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for Simon Crossley. Alternatively email simon.crossley@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk