Mull Sea Eagle Dead

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Last modified: 12 November 2008

The RSPB has today condemned the illegal killing of a white-tailed eagle found poisoned on an estate in Tayside.

The eagle was discovered earlier this year in an isolated glen in Angus near the boundary of the Glenquiech and Glenogil estates and was reported to RSPB Scotland.

The police and RSPB investigators sent to retrieve the bird, also found 32 cubes of venison laced with three different pesticides and placed on fence posts. The body of a butchered mountain hare, also laced with poison was found nearby.

It was the largest single seizure of poisoned baits in Scotland for many years.

The eagle was identified by its wing tags as ‘white G’, a male hatched on Mull in 2007. It had ingested a lethal mix of the pesticides carbofuran and bendiocarb. A dead buzzard, found close by, had also been poisoned.

David Sexton, RSPB Scotland Mull Officer, said: 'Everyone on Mull, where people do so much to help the eagles, has been appalled by this awful news. White G was hatched from a nest near the centre of the island and was watched by thousands of visitors in 2007.

'It was also protected by the Mull Eagle Watch, which is made up of local volunteers. It’s so sad to think that all their efforts in keeping that bird safe have now gone to waste.

'I just hope that, terrible as it is, the death of this bird will not be in vain, and it will help to draw attention to what is still going on in some parts of the countryside. Crimes like this against our most iconic wildlife tarnish the image of Scotland at home and abroad, these dangerous and outdated practises must change.'

White-tailed eagles, which have been described as flying barn doors because of their eight-foot wingspan, were successfully re-introduced into Scotland on the island of Rum, and then in the North West Highlands in the 1970s. They have spread slowly along the west coast and islands with more than 40 pairs now successfully breeding.

White G is likely to have been exploring for new feeding areas, as is common with all juvenile sea eagles before they settle down to a breeding territory at the age of four or five.'

'When is all this going to stop?'
Bob Elliot, RSPB Senior Investigations Officer, said: 'It’s horrific to think that this sea eagle left the safe haven of Mull only to be poisoned on a mainland sporting estate. These projects restoring our natural heritage have had so much public support, and so much effort put into them, it just makes you think, when is all this going to stop?

'Poisoning is so indiscriminate. Anything could have come across these baits, from wildlife to domestic pets, or even children. These lethally toxic chemicals have rightly been banned for years.

'We would like to see the statutory authorities, led by the Scottish Government, and assisted by responsible members of the land-management community, make a concerted effort to identify and prosecute any individuals involved in this criminal practice.'
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thats got me quite mad. I have never heard of the species but the are some sefish little pieces of **** around!
 
As a member I have also signed,

the Golden Eagles also fall victim to this practice as well
 
33L said:
thats got me quite mad. I have never heard of the species but the are some sefish little pieces of **** around!
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:plusone:

Catch those who did this, and I will happily feed them the bait that they used on this poor creature.

As a member, I signed too.
 
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that is a really nice picture and a beautifull bird

signed :D
 
I lost a dog to a similar fate. In the next village, cats are still being killed in snares set by the gamekeeper. I know Felix Domesticus has a lot to answer for in the carnage stakes, but indiscriminate control methods need better policing.
 
duly signed....
why did people do this, at the risk of getting flamed, it's to protect an investment...shooting rights etc. These birds take the species that we (humans) like to shoot, shoots are worth a lot of money. I could be wrong, I often am, but most things come down to cash.
 
I've signed without hesitation.

I'm not so sure it comes down to money so much as deranged people thinking it's OK to protect their livelihood this way. Peregrines have been bated with poisoned pigeons on cliff tops for years. Usually by pigeon fanciers trying to protect their birds. I think it's probably something similar with these eagles. perhaps farmers on the Island or even the mainland trying to prevent them coming over, for fear of potentially losing livestock if they did.

I've heard tales of these big birds taking domestic pets, lambs, and even babies from prams in the days when people thought nothing of leaving their babies in open prams outside their back door, unattended. But I think the latter may just be a tall tale tbh. But I've been told by one old man that the reason they were hunted to virtual extinction in this country is because of those things.
 
A guy I know has a pigeon loft on his allotment, he was sat having a wee drinkie one day when one of his birds landed at his feet, with a Peregrine attached - I was actually surprised at his reaction.

"I am a pigeon fancier, that makes me a bird lover, although it makes me sad to have lost one of my birds, it was wonderful to see nature going about its business "

I know he would never harm another bird, to actually bait them is just wrong and I hope the person or persons responsible are found.
 
Your friend is a better person than my dad then dseered. I would not hesitate to report my dad if I hear he has done any of the things he threatens as far as BOP are concerned. :(
 
Jo said:
I've signed without hesitation.

I'm not so sure it comes down to money so much as deranged people thinking it's OK to protect their livelihood this way. Peregrines have been bated with poisoned pigeons on cliff tops for years. Usually by pigeon fanciers trying to protect their birds. I think it's probably something similar with these eagles. perhaps farmers on the Island or even the mainland trying to prevent them coming over, for fear of potentially losing livestock if they did.
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This is what I mean, protecting a livliehood, be that shooting rights or farm animals. :thumbs:
 
God, it's really sick what some people do. :annoyed:

Signed.

BTW - that's a fantastic pic of an eagle there mate :thumbs:
 
Man, why do people have to do this? must get a kick out of it little s*ds :@

Signed up :thumbs:
 
This kind of thing makes my blood boil :annoyed:. Am an RSPB member and have duly signed this
 
On a slightly different note, I see from the local paper that the RSPB and Natural England are consulting on reintroducing white tailed eagles to Norfolk. That would be quite something. Not sure the local gamekeepers will see it that way though.
 
maddog.mark said:
On a slightly different note, I see from the local paper that the RSPB and Natural England are consulting on reintroducing white tailed eagles to Norfolk. That would be quite something. Not sure the local gamekeepers will see it that way though.
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True, and there is another thread about that here on TP. Great news, but still horrible about this subject.
 
Wail said:
True, and there is another thread about that here on TP. Great news, but still horrible about this subject.
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Thanks Wail, thread duly found. :thumbs:
 
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