Wildlife

Wild Bird: Golden Eagle Scotland Breeding Welfare

Golden eagles breeding in Scotland face persistent welfare threats from illegal persecution, disturbance, and prey availability changes linked to upland management.

Key Facts

Scotland holds approximately 500 pairs of golden eagles - the UK's entire breeding population
Illegal poisoning and shooting continues to cause eagle deaths, particularly on driven grouse moors
Eagles require large intact home ranges of 30-100 km2 for successful breeding
Breeding failure due to food shortage is increasing in some areas with declining mountain hare populations
Satellite tagging has provided evidence of suspicious deaths in specific management areas

Welfare Considerations

Golden eagles killed through illegal persecution die acutely through poisoning or shooting - welfare harms of the highest severity. Breeding adults killed leave chicks to starve and deprive the population of experienced breeders. Legal protection must be enforced to prevent this ongoing and well-documented welfare crime. Disturbance during incubation also causes nest abandonment and chick starvation.

What You Can Do

Report suspected raptor persecution to the RSPB Investigations Unit
Support campaigns for vicarious liability legislation for illegal raptor persecution
Avoid disturbing eagle territories during the breeding season (February to August)
Support land management reform that benefits mountain hare and other eagle prey
Donate to eagle monitoring and protection programmes in Scotland