Golden eagles are one of Scotland's most iconic raptors. Their welfare depends on extensive territory quality, prey availability and freedom from persecution in a landscape shaped by competing land uses.
Golden eagle welfare in Scotland is shaped by two primary threats: territorial prey availability and illegal persecution. Eagles in territories with abundant mountain hares and rabbits achieve higher breeding success and individual body condition than those in prey-poor areas. The decline of mountain hares through legal culling on grouse moors removes a key prey species from territories that have supported eagle pairs for generations. Illegal poisoning using carbofuran and other substances causes prolonged and agonising death for affected individuals. Eagles that are the only pair in a territory and die without breeding replacement represent both an individual welfare and population conservation loss.