Scotland holds around 500 breeding pairs of golden eagles, with ongoing illegal persecution on some grouse moors remaining a significant welfare threat to this iconic raptor.
Golden eagles killed by illegal poison suffer prolonged neurological deterioration before death. Those caught in illegal traps experience acute injury, often including wing fractures. Lead poisoning causes weakness, inability to fly, and slow starvation. Each persecution incident removes an animal that may have held a territory for 20+ years. The ongoing nature of persecution on some estates means this is a chronic welfare issue, not an isolated problem.