NORTH Wales Police, the RSPCA and the Environment Agency have launched a joint investigation following the discovery of a number of dead cormorants at a popular Trefnant fishing spot. Police officers and RSPCA inspectors had received information indicating that up to 10 cormorants have been seen at the Brickfield Pond in Trefnant, where the pond holds a substantial amount of coarse fish. They visited the site on Monday evening and recovered a dead bird, with a further two found the next day. There are signs more birds had died at the location that could not be recovered. Those that have been recovered will now undergo examination to establish the cause of death. Cormorants are a fish-eating bird that are seen by some anglers as a threat to fish stocks. They are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act which allows for the granting of licences to kill the birds if they have caused substantial damage. Those who illegally kill or take cormorants may be fined up to £5,000 or face six months in jail per bird. Sergeant Pete Charleston, North Wales Police's wildlife and environ-mental officer, said: "The fishing pond is run by a local fishing association and used by locals and visitors to the area. Officers of the club had no knowledge of the events that had taken place and have given assurances that such behaviour is not condoned." Police are appealing for anyone with information relating to these incidents, or if anyone witnesses any suspicious behaviour, to contact Sgt Charleston on 01248 385784. | 
