Police have issued an appeal for information after a satellite tagged golden eagle was blasted with a shotgun in the Scottish Borders.
The four year old raptor, named Hamlet, was found in January suffering from size one “shotgun pellet injuries” to its wing.
Tracking data from the tag suggest the bird of prey was shot during the first week of January in an area between Stanhope and Glenbreck, off the A701 Broughton to Moffat Road.
The male bird, which had been relocated from the Outer Hebrides to the Scottish Borders in 2023 as part of a conservation programme, was examined by vets before being taken into the care of the Scottish SPCA at its National Wildlife Rescue Centre at Fishcross in Clackmannanshire.
It has now made a full recovery and been released back into the wild in a secret location in southern Scotland, where he will be monitored via the state of the art satellite tag.
Police Scotland said they were made aware of the incident on January 20 after Hamlet was found by a gamekeeper from an estate in Stanhope, north of Tweedsmuir.
Detective Sergeant David Lynn, National Wildlife Crime Coordinator, said: “It is extremely disappointing that we are investigating another golden eagle persecution crime.
“Very few people would have the means, opportunity and motive to commit this crime and I would urge anyone with any information to contact us so we can identify whoever is responsible for shooting Hamlet.”
Restoring Upland Nature
Restoring Upland Nature (RUN), the charity leading the pioneering South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project conservation initiative, praised the combined efforts of those who had helped save Hamlet.
Following its rescue, X-rays showed how much the shot had affected the range of movement in the bird’s right wing. He was given medication including pain relief, antibiotics and antifungals together with daily physiotherapy to help nurture him back to health.
Michael Clarke, Dumfriesshire farmer and Chair of RUN, said: “We are angry, upset and disappointed that Hamlet was injured at the hands of an individual or individuals who consider themselves above the law.
“Whoever committed this deplorable wildlife crime should hang their heads in shame.
“Golden eagles are back to stay in the South of Scotland, and we very much hope they continue to spread from here so that people across the UK can experience the enjoyment of seeing these iconic birds soaring in the skies above them.”
Dr Cat Barlow, RUN’s CEO, urged anyone with information to contact Police Scotland, adding: “Our Project’s translocated eagles have captured the hearts and minds of all our supporters, from conservationists and raptor workers to landowners, land managers and the wider community, including children, visitors and business operators. All of them will share in our utter disappointment.”
Ross Ewing, Director of Moorland and Strategic Projects at Scottish Land & Estates, said: “We fully support Police Scotland’s appeal and would strongly encourage anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward without delay.
“The recovery of Hamlet would not have been possible without the swift and responsible actions of gamekeepers, who identified the injured bird, reported it promptly to RUN, and worked closely with them to ensure it could be safely captured and treated.
“The gamekeepers involved have a terrific record in engaging with both stakeholders and the local community on the work they undertake on biodiversity enhancement, sheep farming, grouse shooting and the management of designated sites, including SSSIs. We commend their actions which have given this golden eagle the chance to resume its life in the wild.”
Conor Kelly, one of the gamekeepers involved in the recovery of the bird, said: “We hope Hamlet makes a full recovery and are grateful to Cat and her colleagues for their support after we discovered the injured bird.
“Golden eagles are a regular presence on our estate and across the region, and providing the right habitat for them to thrive is an important part of our work.”
South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project
RUN, through its work on the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, has restored the previously fragile population of golden eagles in southern Scotland to over 50 – the highest number in the area for 300 years.
Most are still thriving in the area, but this is the second time Police Scotland have recovered evidence relating to the shooting of one of the translocated golden eagles.
Following evidence provided by Police Scotland to NatureScot the heritage body responsible for licensing, the use of general licences at Raeshaw Estate and Waterston Wood in the Scottish Borders has been restricted.
This evidence included the sudden disappearance of a satellite-tagged golden eagle named Merrick in October 2023 as well as golden eagle blood, feathers and shotgun cartridge wadding recovered from the same location.
In April 2024, Police Scotland said they were confident that the disappearance of Merrick in autumn 2023 was the result of persecution. Two further birds, Tarras and Wren, disappeared last year.
Anyone with information about the latest shooting, should contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 1221 or pass on information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 800 555 111.
