Overview
- The four-year-old golden eagle known as Squeagle was translocated from the Outer Hebrides to the Lammermuir Hills in February and was collected for assessment after gamekeepers raised concerns on June 1 when a May 4 photograph showed damaged wing feathers.
- Scans at the Scottish SPCA’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre found 17 shotgun pellets embedded in Squeagle’s body and wings and vets judged the wounds to be healed rather than fresh.
- Following treatment by veterinary specialists Squeagle was returned to the wild on June 6 and will continue to be monitored through field observations and analysis of her satellite-tag data.
- Police Scotland has opened an active investigation and is working with forces in Northumberland, Durham, Cumbria and North Yorkshire plus the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit while appealing to the public for information.
- Golden eagles are strictly protected by UK and Scottish law and the case adds to a pattern of suspected illegal persecution of raptors that conservation groups say complicates reintroduction and monitoring projects.