Home / Crime and Justice / Protected Eagle Squeagle Found With Shotgun Wounds
Protected Eagle Squeagle Found With Shotgun Wounds
26 Jun
Summary
- A golden eagle, Squeagle, was found with 17 shotgun pellets.
- The bird was released earlier this year and traveled widely.
- Police are seeking public assistance to find the shooter.
A golden eagle, Squeagle, has been discovered with severe shotgun injuries, prompting a police appeal for information. The four-year-old bird, released in the Lammermuir Hills earlier this year, was found to have at least 17 shotgun pellets within her body and wings.
Following her release, Squeagle explored areas including Northumberland, the Pennines, and the Yorkshire Dales. Concerns were raised on June 1 when gamekeepers noticed her unusual behavior. After assessment and treatment at the Scottish SPCA's National Wildlife Rescue Centre, Squeagle was returned to the wild on June 6.
Detective Sergeant David Lynn condemned the attack, emphasizing the bird's protected status. Investigations are underway with support from multiple police forces across Scotland and northern England to determine where and when the shooting occurred. Golden eagles are strictly protected by law, and harming them is a crime, despite historical persecution due to perceived conflicts with land use.
