Police probe disappearance of satellite-tagged white-tailed eagle
Last updated 17th Dec 2025
An investigation has been launched after a satellite-tagged white-tailed eagle disappeared in suspicious circumstances in the hills between Midlothian and the Scottish Borders.
The four-year-old bird had been translocated as a chick from Scotland to the Isle of Wight, as part of a licenced reintroduction programme run by the Roy Dennis Foundation.
In March, the bird flew back north and held a territory in the Moorfoots, spending most of its time in the hills between Peebles and Heriot.
In early November, it expanded its range and spent the majority of its time on the lower ground to the north of the Moorfoots - by Gladhouse Reservoir.
But, after four days, its satellite tag suddenly stopped working in circumstances that, officers say, gave rise to suspicion.
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A full search of the area where the tag last transmitted, and the areas it had been visiting, has been carried out by Police Scotland Wildlife Crime officers, accompanied by colleagues from the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit and a bird ecology expert; however, neither the bird nor the satellite tag have been recovered.
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Police Constable Ali Whitby, Police Scotland's Wildlife Crime Officer for the Lothian and Scottish Borders division, said: “This is a huge iconic bird of prey that chose to fly hundreds of miles north and settle in the Moorfoot Hills.
"Being so big, its presence was known to people working and living in the area, and it thrived for eight months. The fact it has now gone missing in suspicious circumstances is extremely disappointing.
“I would urge anyone with any information that may assist to contact us.”
Anyone with any information should call 101, quoting reference number PS-20251215-1347. Alternatively, please contact Crimestoppers though 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.
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