Disappearance of White-Tailed Eagles Sparks Nationwide Investigation
Published 17 December 2025
Highlights
- Three white-tailed eagles, part of a reintroduction project, have disappeared under suspicious circumstances in Sussex, Wales, and Scotland.
- Satellite tags from the missing eagles were found cut off and discarded, prompting investigations by multiple UK police forces and the National Wildlife Crime Unit.
- The Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation and Forestry England lead the reintroduction project, which has seen 37 eagles released since 2019.
- The RSPB has offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction, highlighting the severity of raptor persecution.
- The disappearances threaten the success of the conservation effort, which has seen the first wild-born chicks in England since the 1780s.
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Rewritten Article
Headline: Disappearance of White-Tailed Eagles Sparks Nationwide Investigation
The mysterious disappearance of three white-tailed eagles, integral to a UK-wide reintroduction project, has sparked a comprehensive investigation by police forces across England, Wales, and Scotland. These incidents have raised alarms among conservationists and wildlife crime units, as the birds' satellite tags were found cut off and discarded near their last known locations.
Conservation Efforts Under Threat
The white-tailed eagle, Britain's largest bird of prey, was reintroduced to England in 2019 after being extinct for over two centuries. The project, spearheaded by the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation and Forestry England, has successfully released 37 eagles on the Isle of Wight. The initiative has seen the formation of several breeding pairs, with six chicks born in the wild for the first time since the 1780s.
Suspicious Disappearances
The recent disappearances include a chick born in Sussex earlier this year, marking one of the first fledglings in England in hundreds of years. Satellite trackers from two eagles were discovered in September, apparently cut off and dumped near their last recorded locations. In Wales, a similar incident occurred when a tag was found hidden in remote woodland. In Scotland, the disappearance of a third eagle is being treated as suspicious after its tag ceased transmitting data in November.
Public Appeal and Reward
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Dr. James Robinson, RSPB's Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the importance of public assistance in solving these cases, noting that raptor persecution has no place in modern society.
Conservationists' Concerns
Tim Mackrill from the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation expressed devastation over the incidents, highlighting the joy shared by local communities witnessing the eagles' return. The illegal killing of these birds poses a significant threat to the project's success and the species' recovery across its historic range.
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Scenario Analysis
The ongoing investigations into the disappearances of these white-tailed eagles could lead to increased scrutiny and potential policy changes regarding wildlife protection and raptor conservation in the UK. If those responsible are apprehended, it may deter future wildlife crimes and bolster public support for conservation efforts. However, the loss of these birds could hinder the project's momentum, emphasizing the need for enhanced protective measures and public awareness to ensure the long-term success of the reintroduction initiative.
The mysterious disappearance of three white-tailed eagles, integral to a UK-wide reintroduction project, has sparked a comprehensive investigation by police forces across England, Wales, and Scotland. These incidents have raised alarms among conservationists and wildlife crime units, as the birds' satellite tags were found cut off and discarded near their last known locations.
Conservation Efforts Under Threat
The white-tailed eagle, Britain's largest bird of prey, was reintroduced to England in 2019 after being extinct for over two centuries. The project, spearheaded by the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation and Forestry England, has successfully released 37 eagles on the Isle of Wight. The initiative has seen the formation of several breeding pairs, with six chicks born in the wild for the first time since the 1780s.
Suspicious Disappearances
The recent disappearances include a chick born in Sussex earlier this year, marking one of the first fledglings in England in hundreds of years. Satellite trackers from two eagles were discovered in September, apparently cut off and dumped near their last recorded locations. In Wales, a similar incident occurred when a tag was found hidden in remote woodland. In Scotland, the disappearance of a third eagle is being treated as suspicious after its tag ceased transmitting data in November.
Public Appeal and Reward
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Dr. James Robinson, RSPB's Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the importance of public assistance in solving these cases, noting that raptor persecution has no place in modern society.
Conservationists' Concerns
Tim Mackrill from the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation expressed devastation over the incidents, highlighting the joy shared by local communities witnessing the eagles' return. The illegal killing of these birds poses a significant threat to the project's success and the species' recovery across its historic range.
What this might mean
The ongoing investigations into the disappearances of these white-tailed eagles could lead to increased scrutiny and potential policy changes regarding wildlife protection and raptor conservation in the UK. If those responsible are apprehended, it may deter future wildlife crimes and bolster public support for conservation efforts. However, the loss of these birds could hinder the project's momentum, emphasizing the need for enhanced protective measures and public awareness to ensure the long-term success of the reintroduction initiative.
