A RARE barn owl has died after being shot at a Torfaen quarry.

Wild bird specialist Dave Cooksey, who operates the Welsh Owl and Wildlife sanctuary at Llangibby, says the owl may have left behind a brood of chicks which will starve to death.

The injured and barely alive bird was brought to him by a Pontypool man who had been out walking his dog.

"He'd been walking in Cwmynyscoy quarry when he found the owl. It had what we believe is a shotgun injury to one of its wings, and was dehydrated and in a poor state of health," said Mr Cooksey.

He said there were signs that the injuries had forced the bird to live on the ground for two or three days and, "despite the best efforts of ourselves and our vet we couldn't save her".

"She had a brood patch which indicates she was rearing young nearby when she was shot. Her shooting could well mean the slow death from starvation of her brood, as her male would be unable to cope alone."

Mr Cooksey estimates there are just 20 pairs of barn owls in the county.

A police spokesman said it was difficult to establish whether the shooting had been intentional.

"Anyone who sees somebody using a shotgun or air-rifle in an unsafe or reckless manner should report it to the police."