Golden eagle death setback for south of Scotland project

The project aims to boost golden eagle numbers in the south of the country

A project to boost golden eagle numbers in southern Scotland has suffered a setback after one bird attacked another and apparently caused its death.

Scottish Natural Heritage described the incident as "distressing and extremely surprising".

A female bird released last year appears to have caused the death of a male introduced to the area this month.

SNH said it was behaviour "not observed before" and a detailed post-mortem examination would be carried out.

The project - at a secret location in the Moffat Hills area - sees young birds relocated from the Highlands.

One of two female birds released last year, named Beaky, returned to its release site and was seen being "aggressive and domineering" towards three young males released this month.

The incident has been described as a "setback" for the project

"She immediately began treating the release area as her territory, which is exceptional for such a young bird," said an SNH statement.

It appears the bird caused the death of one young male with another missing nearby.

The third young male has been safely secured in the aviary at the release area.

Project director Prof Des Thompson of SNH said: "We have never heard of such incidents before, despite having worked with eagle release projects in other parts of Europe.

"For the project team, and the estates which kindly allowed us to take these male eagle chicks, this is very difficult.

"Our project has been 11 years in the making because it is crucial to ensure everything possible is done to protect the health and wellbeing of these birds."

He said they remained determined for the project to succeed and would share their information with others.

The findings from the incident will be shared with other similar projects

Duncan Orr-Ewing, head of species and land management at RSPB Scotland, said: "This is an exceptional event and, while natural, incredibly upsetting.

"As the project is carefully monitored this event has been witnessed at first hand.

"The project will continue despite this setback, however we will thoroughly consider any future mitigation."

Golden eagle expert Roy Dennis, a scientific adviser to the project, said territorial breeding eagles would attack and kill young intruders trying to take their place.

'Totally unexpected'

"This is normal population behaviour - but for newly flying juveniles to be attacked by a one-year-old is totally unexpected," he added.

The project team is monitoring the site closely and the remaining young eagle will now be released at another site.

Mark Oddy, who chairs the scheme, said it was a "difficult time" for everyone involved.

"We are doing everything we can to ensure the remaining eagle is fit and well," he said.