Golden eagles are recovering in parts of Scotland but face ongoing illegal persecution and territorial pressures that impose welfare costs on individuals.
Golden eagle welfare is acutely threatened by illegal persecution. Poisoned bait intended for other predators kills eagles through secondary poisoning, causing neurological symptoms and slow death. Shot eagles suffer ballistic trauma injuries. Satellite-tagged eagles that disappear suddenly over managed grouse moor land without any recorded signal suggest trapping or shooting. Surviving territorial birds that have lost mates experience breeding failure and the energetic costs of holding territories alone. Conservation monitoring and rigorous investigation of tagged eagle disappearances are essential welfare interventions.