Police are investigating the mystery death of a golden eagle which was found on the ground at an estate in Dumfries and Galloway. The female adult, called Sula, was discovered by a member of gamekeeping staff at the Queensberry Estate, near Sanquhar, on Saturday, February 11.
The eagle, which showed no sign of obvious injury, has been removed from the site and taken away for testing to determine her cause of death. Sula was wearing a monitor linked to the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project (SSGEP), which has been working to boost the population of the protected bird in the area.
Police Scotland have confirmed that a probe is now underway. And the SSGEP are testing the deceased raptor for signs of bird flu.
A statement from the force said: “Around 4.20pm on Saturday, February 11, officers received a report that a golden eagle had been found dead in the Mennock area of Sanquhar. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances."
Benny Higgins, executive chairman of Buccleuch, which runs the estate, said: “We work closely with the SSGEP in the local area and we are extremely proud of our record in recent years of helping rebuild the population.
“The bird was removed from the site on Saturday and is being tested to understand the cause of death. Our team will continue to offer any assistance it can on this matter.”
Dr Cat Barlow at the SSGEP said: “We’re really sad to confirm that B50, Sula, a female eagle translocated by the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, was found dead on Queensberry Estate. Police Scotland is investigating.
“The corpse had no obvious signs of injuries and is currently being tested for Avian Flu and other possible indicators, as is routine in such situations. We will comment again further when her cause of death has been confirmed.
"In the meantime, it is important to note that if people spot distressed, injured or dead birds that they leave them alone and report them to the relevant authorities. Report (more than 5) dead birds to Defra (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) on 03459 335577
"Please look for tracking devices/leg rings (only if possible, without coming into contact with the bird). Bird rings should be reported to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) via BTO.org.”
The South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project aims to reinforce the small, isolated and vulnerable population of golden eagles in the Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway. According to the group, golden eagles have a long history in the south of Scotland.
From east to west, populations were once healthy, with the golden eagle playing an important part as an apex predator in the ecosystem. But over the last couple of centuries, human activity and changes in land use has caused populations in the south to fall as low as three breeding pairs.
However, through a series of translocations over a period of five years and greater cooperation between stakeholders, the SSGEP aims to increase numbers and prevent the loss of the species.
Five custom built aviaries have been constructed and sited at a confidential location in the southern uplands with the first eaglets arriving in early summer 2018 for a short two month stay before being released into the Moffat Hills.
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