Overview

• Crofter Donald John Cameron reported that five Shetland pony foals disappeared from his South Uist herd over nine weeks with no trace found.
• He suspects white‑tailed sea eagles, citing increased local eagle presence and the mares’ distressed behavior, and he rules out theft due to the remote location.
• NatureScot says there is currently no direct evidence linking eagles to the losses and has begun planned checks of nests across North and South Uist, including near the croft.
• The agency has offered support through its Sea Eagle Management Scheme and invited an application for measures that could help protect sheep and ponies.
• A farmers’ representative said lifting pony foals would be unprecedented but not impossible given documented instances of eagles carrying deer calves, and the crofter wants relocation or extra protection if evidence is found.