Surfbirds News

Golden Eagle © Mark Priest, from the surfbirds galleries

These magnificent birds still suffer as a result of the callous of actions of a minority who seem determined to deny others the chance to experience one of the UK's most breath-taking species. This particular bird, named Alma, was fitted with a tracking device and suspicions were raised when the bird appeared to stop moving at the beginning of July. Her carcass has now been found and the worst possible fears have been confirmed. Police are investigating.

Alma was a young female eagle, just past her second birthday. She had just started to moult into her adult feathers and would have been looking to set up territory and breed in the coming years. Tragically she will now never get that chance.

Jeff Knott, RSPB Species Policy Officer, said "This is a horrific example of the callous disregard a minority have for some of our most spectacular birds of prey. It is beyond my comprehension that some people still put baits laced with lethal toxins out in our countryside with the aim of killing beautiful birds like this golden eagle. Nor is this an isolated case.

In 2007, the RSPB received 165 reports of poisoning incidents such as this, which resulted in the death of at least 104 birds or animals. Its absolutely vital that we all condemn the illegal killing of birds of prey like Alma and send the strongest possible message to those responsible that their activities are completely unacceptable in today's society".