White-tailed Eagle shot in Ireland

A White-tailed Eagle from the Irish reintroduction programme has been shot in Co Roscommon.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Ireland is investigating the discovery of the dead bird – a two-year-old female – which was found near Cranberry Lough. The NPWS confirmed the bird was shot and is awaiting the results of forensic tests for more information.

The eagle was released on the shores of Lough Derg in 2022 as part of the reintroduction programme. Data from the bird's satellite tag suggests it died on 11 or 12 March.

The White-tailed Eagle found dead in Cp Roscommon was shot (NPWS).

'Devastating' news

Irish Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan said he was devastated by news of the death "of one of our beloved White-tailed Eagles".
"These majestic birds have been part of a reintroduction project to restore their populations in Ireland and to think that one would be shot is unconscionable," he said.
Mr Noonan appealed to anyone who has information to contact the NPWS or Gardaí.

Data from the eagle's tags showed that, since her release, the bird travelled from the Shannon Estuary in Limerick north through the Burren in Co Clare, before arriving in Donegal in mid-April 2023.

In 2024, it spent most of its time along the borders between Cos Galway, Offaly and Roscommon before it died.

Foul play

Last year, a police investigation was launched after two White-tailed Eagles were found dead in Co Antrim, which followed a separate poisoning in 2021. In 2023, a further release eagles in Ireland was completed.