Sadly, two of the white-tailed eagles that were re-introduced by Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation on the Isle of Wight have been found dead.
Dorset Police issued an appeal earlier today.
They state:
Two of the reintroduced white-tailed eagles have recently been recovered dead on multi-agency operations in the south of England including one in Dorset in late January.
An investigation is underway to ascertain the causes death of both birds, who are undergoing post mortem and toxicological examination.”
Report info to Police
The Police go on to explain the birds are extremely rare and ask the public to be vigilant and to report any information they may have relating to the death of these birds to Dorset Police at [email protected], quoting occurrence 55220015571 with your contact details.
You can contact the Police in confidence. Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org. Three other eagles are currently present in Dorset.
Five-year programme
The first three pairs of juvenile white-tailed eagles were released on the Isle of Wight in August 2019.
In summer 2020, seven more were released and in 2021 another 12 were released on the Island.
Our thoughts are with those who have worked with the eagles on the five-year programme to restore this lost species to the south of England.
Thanks to Steve B for the heads-up.
Image: © Dorset Police
