Concern of 'criminal activity' after sudden disappearance of golden eagle

Concerns have been raised over criminal activity in the Cairngorms after the sudden disappearance of a golden eagle.

The bird was fitted with a satellite tag while in its nest in 2022 and had been transmitting as expected until May 2024, when it suddenly went offline.

Its last known location was an area of moorland in the Angus Glens where there has been a long history of illegal bird of prey persecution.

Data from the bird’s tag was provided to the police before officers, the National Wildlife Crime Unit and RSPB Scotland searched the area but found no trace of the bird or its tag.

RSPB believes the bird has been killed or destroyed.

The disappearance is the latest incident in the “raptor crime hotspot” after an osprey was found shot in the Glen Doll area on August 12 – the opening day of the grouse shooting season.

Earlier in the year, a satellite-tagged hen harrier disappeared in circumstances similar to those of the golden eagle.

It is a crime to kill a bird of prey, with anyone caught facing a fine or jail.

Legislation introduced in March 2024 means that any illegal activity found taking place on a grouse moor could result in the moor losing its license to operate.

Will Hayward, RSPB Scotland senior investigations officer, said: “The sudden cessation of transmissions from this tag strongly suggests human interference and reflects a pattern of tagged birds ‘disappearing’ almost exclusively on or near grouse moors that has become all too evident in recent years.

“Had this bird died of natural causes or if the tag had become detached, we would be able to locate and retrieve it.

“Given the well-proven reliability of this technology, when no body or tag is found, this is highly suspicious. We believe this bird has been killed and the tag destroyed.”

If you notice a dead or injured bird of prey in suspicious circumstances, call Police Scotland on 101 and fill in the RSPB’s online reporting form: www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/wild-bird-crime-report-form/

If you have information about anyone killing birds of prey which you wish to report anonymously, call the RSPB’s confidential Raptor Crime Hotline on 0300 999 0101.