Police probe after golden eagle found with shotgun injuries

Police Scotland and the RSPB have launched a criminal investigation after a four-year-old golden eagle, known as Hamlet, was discovered with severe shotgun injuries on an estate in Stanhope, near Tweedsmuir, earlier this month. The bird of prey was located by a local gamekeeper who alerted authorities to its distressed state, prompting an immediate rescue operation and forensic examination. The investigation was initiated following physical evidence and X-rays confirming the eagle had been targeted by a firearm, which is a significant violation of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Hamlet, who was tagged as part of a conservation project, was immediately transported to a specialist veterinary facility for treatment. Experts revealed that the bird suffered multiple pellet wounds, suggesting a deliberate attempt to kill or maim a member of one of Scotland's most protected species. The incident has sent shockwaves through the conservation community, as golden eagles are considered a flagship species for the Scottish Highlands and Southern Uplands, where efforts to stabilize their population have been ongoing for decades. Wildlife crime officers are currently scouring the Stanhope area for further evidence and are appealing to the public for any information regarding suspicious activity or gunfire in the vicinity during the period leading up to the discovery. Organizations such as the RSPB Scotland have condemned the shooting, pointing out that such illegal acts of persecution continue to hinder the recovery of large raptors across the UK. The police have emphasized that harming these birds carries a potential prison sentence and significant fines under current environmental laws.