Police investigation after ‘lost species’ disappear across UK in suspicious circumstances
Three white-tailed eagles, including a chick representing the first wild-born generation in England for centuries, have vanished under extremely suspicious circumstances.
Authorities are now appealing for the public’s help as police investigate the fate of the birds, which are an integral part of a crucial reintroduction programme.
The satellite tags of two of the eagles (one a fledgling) were discovered discarded near their last known location; both had been cut deliberately.
The third bird’s tracker stopped transmitting data and no sightings have been reported since.
Often called ‘flying barn doors’ due to their impressive 2.4m wingspan, these magnificent birds of prey were once common in southern England, with persecution continuing until their extinction in the 18th century.
Joint work between Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Trust launched reintroductions to the Isle of Wight in 2019, resulting in the release of 45 white-tailed eagles to date.
The project was a significant success, with several brood pairs forming in the wild in England and six chicks being born; this was a milestone not reached since the 1780s.
The birds, the UK’s largest bird of prey, have previously been successfully reintroduced to Scotland.
Forestry UK said targeting the birds would potentially affect the long-term success of the British project.
Tim Mackrill, of the Roy Dennis Wildlife Trust, said: “We monitor satellite data showing the minute-by-minute movements of birds on a daily basis and are always investigating suspicious or unusual data.
“Finding stolen and discarded tags was devastating, especially for the Sussex chick who escaped this summer and is just starting her life.
“Many people in the area shared their joy at seeing these birds breeding again after hundreds of years, and our ongoing observations have shown how well they have adapted to the landscape.
“For this to be destroyed just a few months later is extremely shocking.”
Steve Egerton-Read, white-tailed eagle project manager from Forestry England, said: “We are returning this lost species to British soil and have received so much support from the public.
“These special birds help people connect with the natural world and show how nature can thrive with a little help.
“We would like to ask the public to show this support once again by encouraging anyone with information that could help the police investigation progress.”
The disappearances are being investigated by several police officers.
A satellite tag of one of the chicks that escaped from a nest in Sussex was recovered from the River Rother near Petersfield on 26 September.
Searches in the area to find the body of the bird, which was removed with a sharp tool, were unsuccessful.
Sussex Police are appealing for information from anyone who was in or around Harting Down and Petersfield on the evening of 20 September 2025 and may have seen the bird or any suspicious behavior, referencing incident 769.
Dyfed Powys Police are investigating an incident where a satellite tag was found cut off with a sharp tool before being hidden on remote moorland on September 13. Searches to find the eagle’s body were also unsuccessful.
Police are appealing for information from anyone in the vicinity of Gwgia Reservoir at Tregynon between 11am and 1pm on September 13 or in the reach area near Bryn y Fawnog, quoting crime reference 137 between noon and 3pm on September 13.
In a third incident, concerns are being raised for another eagle from the project whose tag has stopped working following the last release in the Moorfoot Hills area of south Edinburgh on 8 November.
Police Scotland are treating the disappearance as suspicious and are asking anyone with information to contact them using incident number PS-20251215-1347.
In 2022, two white-tailed eagles released from the reintroduction plan were found dead.
These led to police investigations in Dorset, after tests on the bird were found “inconclusive”, and in the Isle of Wight, where there was no evidence of illegal activity, although the rat poison brodifacoum was both found.
