Wildlife

Wild White-Tailed Eagle Welfare Scotland

White-tailed eagles have been reintroduced to Scotland and England after extinction, but face ongoing welfare threats from illegal persecution, lead poisoning, and collision with wind turbines.

Key Facts

White-tailed eagles were extinct in Scotland by 1916 from persecution
Reintroduction from Norway from 1975 created a Scottish population now exceeding 150 pairs
Eagles are still illegally killed and poisoned on some estates despite protection
Lead poisoning from ingested shot is detectable in up to 30% of tested eagles
Wind turbine collision is an emerging threat as renewable energy infrastructure expands

Welfare Considerations

White-tailed eagle recovery is a conservation success threatened by ongoing illegal persecution. Addressing lead poisoning and turbine collision alongside illegal killing protects this recovered population.

What You Can Do

Support lead ammunition phase-out to protect eagles and other raptors
Report suspected eagle persecution to wildlife crime authorities immediately
Support turbine placement planning that considers raptor flight paths
Celebrate white-tailed eagle recovery and share awareness of threats they still face