The sudden death of one of the White-tailed Eagles (also known as a Sea Eagle) that was released on to the Isle of Wight is being investigated by Hampshire Constabulary.
Last week the Isle of Wight Council announced a case of Avian Flu had been confirmed on the Island. What they didn’t reveal at the time was that it was one of the White-tailed Eagles.
The satellite-tracked White-tailed Eagle from the Isle of Wight reintroduction scheme was discovered dead on the Island on 24th February 2022.
“The bird was carrying avian influenza”
A spokesperson for Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation told News OnTheWight,
“Circumstances surrounding the sudden death of the bird are being investigated by Hampshire Police and partners.
“During a post mortem examination it has been identified that the bird was carrying avian influenza, although it is unknown at this stage if this related to the bird’s death and enquiries are continuing.”
Police: Investigation ongoing
A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary told News OnTheWight,
“We were called shortly after 5pm on Thursday 24th February to a report of a dead sea eagle on Bowcombe Road on the Isle of Wight.
“The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the animals death is ongoing.
“We are not linking this to any other investigations at this time.”
Reintroduction 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.
Other recent deaths
This death is in addition to the two reported last month in Dorset, where White-tailed Eagles from the Isle of Wight were discovered dead.
Article edit
8.10am 15th Mar 2021 – comment from Police added
Image: © White-tailed Eagle and Crow by Pete Box
