Golden eagle poisoned in Ireland

Poisoned Golden Eagle found at Killeter, Co Tyrone, tests indicate it died by ingesting carbofuran.

December 2010. There has been outrage expressed by wildlife conservation charities, RSPB, the Golden Eagle Trust and BirdWatch Ireland at the poisoning of a golden eagle in Ireland.

Carbofuran
The bird was found in November 2010, outside the village of Killeter in west Tyrone, with a partially full crop, suggesting that it had eaten recently. It was then taken away by police for testing. The post-mortem has since revealed that it was poisoned by carbofuran, which has been banned in the UK since 2001, and in Europe since 2008.

"Words cannot express our disgust at this terrible and careless act," said Dr James Robinson, Director RSPB NI. "The use of this poison is illegal and this method of baiting is indiscriminate and banned; whoever left this out was acting outside the law. The police are investigating this, and we hope they will get to the bottom of it."

Released in Glenveagh National Park
The bird was collected as a chick from the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, in June 2010 and reared and released in Glenveagh National Park, Co Donegal by the Golden Eagle Trust as part of an ongoing project to restore golden eagles in the Republic of Ireland.

The bird was collected as a chick from the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, in June 2010 and reared and released in Glenveagh National Park, Co Donegal by the Golden Eagle Trust as part of an ongoing project to restore golden eagles in the Republic of Ireland. Courtesy of RSPB This is the same golden eagle before it was released at Glenveagh National Park, with Lorcan O'Toole, BirdWatch Ireland, Golden Eagle Project Manager.

Satellite tag
The dead bird was fitted with a 70g satellite transmitter before it was released in August 2010. Satellite tracking showed that the dead bird spent several weeks around the release area before wandering down to Killeter Forest in Tyrone, where it has been since mid-October.

Lorcan O'Toole, Golden Eagle Project Manager, said, "Every year a few young golden eagles from Glenveagh wander across Lough Foyle and spend time in County Antrim. Other birds routinely pass through Co Tyrone and Co Fermanagh en route to Co Leitrim and beyond. It is a great shame that someone in Tyrone is still using poison illegally and this healthy young eagle has died as a result. There is simply no justification for using poison in the month of October and it seems so pointless and reckless."

"Our magnificent birds of prey are still threatened by poisoning - sometimes deliberate and sometime the accidental result of poor fox and crow control," said Dr Robinson. "This supports our case to introduce an amendment to the Wildlife Order 1985 so that possession of pesticides with no lawful reason for use would be illegal in Northern Ireland. We are pleased that the Environment Committee has agreed to this amendment."

Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime Northern Ireland
Dr Michael Meharg, NIEA and Chair of the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime Northern Ireland (PAWNI), said, "All placing of poison or poisonous baits in the open is illegal even if the intended victim is a pest species. The very few exceptions to this must only be carried out under licence."

Alan Lauder, Head of Conservation at BirdWatch Ireland, said, "After working hard over the last few years to get legislation in place on this side of the border to match that in Northern Ireland to deal with this issue, this incident goes to show that there are still a minority that have a total disregard for the law when it comes to our precious birds of prey.

"I hope we'll see proper enforcement of legislation right across the island and those who damage our natural heritage given appropriate penalty," he added.

Report crime
PSNI have asked that if anyone sees a crime, or has any information, they should report it to their local police station on 0845 600 8000 or anonymously to the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111. If people find a suspected poisoned bird of prey they should be aware that some of these poisons are dangerous. Do not handle the carcass.