Wildlife

Wild White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction and Welfare

White-tailed eagles have been reintroduced to Scotland, Ireland, the Isle of Wight and East Anglia. Welfare monitoring of reintroduced birds informs ongoing programme management.

Key Facts

White-tailed eagles were extinct in Britain from 1916 until reintroduction from 1975
Scotland now holds over 150 breeding pairs following sustained reintroduction
Isle of Wight releases from 2019 are establishing an English population
Illegal persecution remains a significant mortality cause even for reintroduced birds

Welfare Considerations

White-tailed eagle welfare requires active persecution monitoring, livestock interaction management, and protection from power line electrocution. Farmers experiencing livestock concerns can access advisory services to minimise conflict.

What You Can Do

Report white-tailed eagle sightings to RSPB or local bird recorders
Never approach known nest sites - strict exclusion zones apply
Support white-tailed eagle reintroduction programmes through conservation organisations