The number of birds of prey poisoned in Scotland last year fell "significantly", environment minister Paul Wheelhouse has said.
Three birds - two buzzards and a golden eagle - were poisoned illegally in 2012, down from 16 incidents the previous year.
There have been a total of 91 poisoning incidents since the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW Scotland) was formed in 2008.
The 2012 poisonings were recorded in the Grampian region, the west Highlands and the Borders. The precise location is not given as some birds may be able to continue to fly before being struck down by the poison.
Mr Wheelhouse said: "2013 is the Year of Natural Scotland and our birds of prey are both a vital part of the natural environment and a stunning spectacle which attract visitors to our countryside from home and abroad. It is our duty to protect them and I believe that new measures brought in by the Scottish Government over a year ago - which mean that landowners and managers can no longer turn a blind eye to offences against wild birds on their land - are a major deterrent to those who think they are above the law."
Vicarious liability was introduced by the Government in the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill in 2011 to deal with landowners and managers who turn a blind eye to employees committing offences against wild birds on their land. Sentences include fines and imprisonment.
Douglas McAdam, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, and Duncan Orr-Adam, head of species and land management at RSPB Scotland, issued a joint statement.
They said: "Any incident of illegal poisoning of birds of prey is one too many. However these latest figures represent the most substantial progress on this issue for many years."
Anyone who finds a dead bird of prey, and suspects it may have been poisoned, is asked to contact police.
Alex Hogg, chairman of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, said: "This 70% reduction, on top of a record 42% decline the previous year, is testimony to the hard work being done on this issue within PAW and on the ground. As has been mentioned, however, no one can be complacent. The illegal poisoning of birds of prey has no place in wildlife management and the Scottish Gamekeepers Association and other partners will continue to do everything possible in the hope that this practice can be eradicated completely."
