Police question Prince Harry over endangered bird shooting

Prince Harry has been questioned by police after two legally-protected birds of prey were shot down on the Royal Familys Sandringham estate last week.

London, Oct 31 : Prince Harry has been questioned by police after two legally-protected birds of prey were shot down on the Royal Family's Sandringham estate last week.

Three people, including a nature warden and visitors to the Dersingham Bog nature reserve, near Sandringham House, said they saw two endangered hen harriers shot last week.

Police investigating the case were apparently told by the young royal's staff that the Prince and a friend were the only people known to be shooting in the area on Oct 24, when the two birds were killed.

However, Clarence House has confirmed that the Prince and his friend had been in the area, but have no knowledge of the alleged incident.

"Because Prince Harry and a friend were both in the area at the time, the police have been in contact with them and asked them if they have any information that could help," The Sun quoted a royal spokesman, as saying.

"Unfortunately, they had no knowledge of the alleged incident," he added.

The killing of a hen harrier is a crime, which carries a fine of up to 5,000 pounds or six months in prison. Birds of prey are protected under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds described the hen harrier as the "most persecuted bird in England".

"We take any allegations of killing hen harriers very seriously. We regard persecution as a major threat. If the allegations are substantiated it would be a serious matter," an RSPB spokesman said.

ANI