Home / Environment / Golden Eagle Shot in Scotland: Investigation Underway
Golden Eagle Shot in Scotland: Investigation Underway
9 Feb
Summary
- A four-year-old golden eagle named Hamlet was shot and injured.
- The eagle had been relocated to the Scottish Borders to boost population.
- The bird has recovered and returned to the wild, police seek culprit.
A golden eagle, affectionately named Hamlet, has been successfully treated and released back into the wild following a distressing incident where he was shot in the Scottish Borders. The four-year-old bird, relocated from the Outer Hebrides in 2023 as part of the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, was discovered injured by a gamekeeper on an estate in Stanhope on January 15th. Veterinary examination revealed shotgun pellet injuries to his wing.
Experts utilized tracking data to pinpoint the likely time and location of the shooting, estimating it occurred in early January between Stanhope and Glenbreck, off the A701 road. Police Scotland, with assistance from the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit, is leading the investigation to apprehend the perpetrator. Wildlife conservationists and landowners have expressed anger and disappointment, emphasizing the importance of golden eagles to the region and the UK's skies, and urging anyone with information to come forward.
The charity Restoring Upland Nature (RUN), the new home of the SSGEP, expressed relief at Hamlet's recovery. Gamekeepers involved in the rescue highlighted their commitment to providing suitable habitats for these iconic birds and encouraged public cooperation with the police investigation into this concerning wildlife crime.
