Another Golden eagle poisoned in Scotland – Fitted with a satellite tag

Second Golden eagle poisoned in Scotland
September 2009. Alma, a 2 year old Golden eagle, has been poisoned. Alma had been fitted with a GPS radio transmitter in 2007 in the Cairngorms by Roy Dennis in an attempt to find out more about the ecology of this magnificent bird. However in July her signal stopped working suddenly and it was found that she had been poisoned.

Tayside Police, wildlife experts and government staff have carried out an intensive search of grouse moors, houses and vehicles on an estate near Brechin. Alma had been tracked to the estate several times since the spring. Much of the information about Alma's last days and the circumstances of her death are confidential while the ongoing police investigation is under way.

Superintendent Ewen West, of Tayside police, said: ''The golden eagle was part of a project being undertaken by Scottish Natural Heritage. The bird was being continuously tracked and when her movements came to an abrupt stop at the beginning of July suspicions were raised that she had died. Sadly, she had been illegally poisoned."

Roseanna Cunningham, the Scottish environment minister, said: "I am truly appalled that yet another golden eagle has been illegally killed in Scotland - the second this summer. Illegal poisoning is simply inexcusable and while the perpetrators are certainly beneath contempt they are in no way above the law. Poisoning of course poses serious animal welfare risks, but these offences also damage Scotland's tourism industry our economy and can even tarnish the reputations of those working in our countryside within the law. The fact this eagle was tagged and the Scottish public were actively engaged in its progress, only makes this case all the more galling. The loss of this magnificent animal is a real blow to Scotland, particularly as we are renowned world-wide for our incredible wildlife."

Dr Ian Jardine, chief executive of Scottish Natural Hertiage, said: "We are working with police and other partners in the Partnership Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) to try and wipe out poisoning of wildlife. It would appear that a determined minority are continuing to spoil people's enjoyment of these magnificent golden eagles."

See Roy Dennis' website for details of the tracking