APPEAL: Investigation underway after 'endangered' White-tailed Eagle is shot

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has launched an investigation and is appealing to members of the public for information after a White-tailed Eagle was shot and killed just before Christmas.

The two-year old female eagle which was part of the NPWS White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Programme, was released on the Shannon Estuary in 2022.

Officers investigating the killing of the eagle have established she was shot in early December, but are awaiting further results of forensic analysis that may provide additional information.

"The NPWS deplores the deliberate killing of rare and endangered species, and takes bird of prey persecutions extremely seriously. NPWS is appealing for any information the public may have in relation to the incident," said a spokesperson.

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As part of the reintroduction programme, White-tailed Eagle chicks are fitted with satellite tags to allow their movements to be monitored. Information from the satellite tag for the dead eagle indicates that she died sometime on Friday, December 6 - the day before Storm Darragh - in the Ballynafid/ Portnashangan area at Lough Owel, close to Mullingar in Westmeath. 

"Satellite information shows that she was present in the area over the previous couple of weeks having travelled widely across the country since her release in 2022. In early 2023 she left north Kerry, and spent time at various locations along the western seaboard."

"She also travelled to Donegal and spent a lot of time making trips over and back to north Antrim, Fermanagh, Cavan and other counties, including visiting Lough Ree in the north midlands. Lately she had come back to Westmeath where she moved between local lakes - Lough Owel, Lough Derravaragh and Lough Ennell," added the spokesperson for NWPS.  

Members of the public with any information about the shooting are asked to contact the NPWS, in confidence, by emailing wildlifeenforcement@npws.gov.ie.