Wildlife

Golden Eagle Welfare in Scottish Highlands

Golden eagles are recovering in Scotland following decades of persecution, but continue to face illegal killing, disturbance at nests and satellite tag tampering that compromise individual welfare and population recovery.

Key Facts

Scotland holds over 500 breeding pairs of golden eagles, the vast majority of the UK population
Illegal killing through poisoning and shooting remains a documented threat on some grouse moors
Golden eagle chicks are vulnerable to disturbance causing nest abandonment during the April to August breeding period
Satellite tracking has revealed suspicious tag failures in birds moving over managed grouse moors

Welfare Considerations

Golden eagle welfare is directly threatened by illegal persecution that has been documented across multiple decades despite full legal protection. Poisoned birds suffer prolonged deaths from anticoagulant or other toxins. Disturbance causes nest abandonment and chick death from exposure. The disproportionate rate of tag failure over managed grouse moors suggests ongoing persecution.

What You Can Do

Report suspected raptor persecution to the RSPB Investigations Unit or police wildlife crime officers
Support Raptor Persecution UK and similar monitoring organisations that document persecution
Advocate for vicarious liability legislation holding landowners responsible for wildlife crimes on their land
Support Scottish Government commitments to stronger enforcement of wildlife crime legislation