The reintroduced white-tailed eagle is recovering in Scotland after extinction, but welfare challenges from persecution, lead poisoning and disturbance remain serious concerns.
White-tailed eagle welfare encompasses both individual and population-level concerns. Individual birds suffering lead poisoning experience neurological deterioration and prolonged death if not found and treated. Illegally persecuted birds suffer from poisoning, trapping or shooting. The welfare of breeding pairs is affected by human disturbance during incubation and chick-rearing. Population-level welfare improves through legal protection, investigation of persecution, promotion of non-toxic ammunition and compensation schemes that reduce farmer-eagle conflict.