Wildlife

Wild Golden Eagle Persecution and Conservation

Golden eagles face illegal persecution in Scotland, with satellite tag data revealing widespread killing on driven grouse moors.

Key Facts

UK golden eagle population is around 500 breeding pairs, almost all in Scotland
Satellite tag data reveals unexplained disappearances concentrated on grouse moors
Golden eagles require large territories of open moorland free from disturbance
Legal protection has existed since 1954 but persecution continues illegally
Vicarious liability legislation in Scotland holds landowners accountable for staff actions

Welfare Considerations

Persecution of golden eagles - through shooting, trapping, and poisoning - causes direct welfare suffering and population-level impacts. Each individual killed removes a long-lived apex predator from an ecosystem. Supporting legal reform and enforcement protects individual eagle welfare and maintains functioning ecosystems.

What You Can Do

Support organisations documenting illegal golden eagle persecution
Advocate for vicarious liability legislation in areas without it
Report suspicious raptor disappearances or dead raptors to RSPB Investigations