Wild Golden Eagle Welfare and Recovery

Golden eagle populations in Scotland are stable or slowly recovering but remain vulnerable to persecution, wind turbine collision and prey depletion in some regions.

Key Facts

Scotland holds approximately 500 golden eagle breeding pairs, the great majority of the UK population
Illegal persecution including poisoning and shooting is the primary threat to population expansion
Wind turbine collisions have been documented and collision risk mapping guides turbine placement
Golden eagles require large territories of 40-150 square kilometres of suitable hunting habitat
Young dispersing eagles are most vulnerable to persecution and starvation as they establish territories

Welfare Considerations

Golden eagle welfare requires ongoing anti-persecution enforcement alongside sympathetic land management. Individual eagles face multiple mortality risks that legal protection and habitat management can reduce.

What You Can Do

Report suspected golden eagle persecution immediately to RSPB Wildlife Crime Unit
Support satellite tagging programmes that document golden eagle movements and mortality
Advocate for stronger wildlife crime sentencing that deters raptor persecution