Golden Eagle found shot in Scottish Borders
Police appeal for information after injured eagle discovered in the Borders, while Golden Eagle Project shares recovery progress of rehabilitated bird
Eagle discovered with gunshot injuries
Police Scotland has launched an investigation after a Golden Eagle was found shot in the Scottish Borders. The injured bird was discovered in early February and is now receiving specialist veterinary care.
The incident was reported by Raptor Persecution UK, which highlighted the seriousness of the discovery. Golden Eagles remain one of Scotland’s most iconic birds of prey, and persecution continues to pose a significant threat to their recovery in parts of the country.
Police appeal for information
Officers have appealed for information from members of the public who may have seen suspicious activity in the area where the eagle was found. As with other raptor persecution cases, investigators will examine the circumstances carefully, including the location and surrounding land use.
The shooting of a Golden Eagle is a criminal offence. Despite strengthened wildlife protection laws and increased public awareness, illegal persecution of birds of prey persists in some areas of Scotland and the wider UK.
A fragile recovery in southern Scotland
Golden Eagles, , were once absent from much of southern Scotland, including the Borders. In recent years, the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project has been working to reinforce and re-establish a viable population through carefully managed translocations and long-term monitoring.
The discovery of a shot bird is therefore a significant setback, not only for the individual eagle but also for wider efforts to restore a sustainable breeding population across southern Scotland.
Rehabilitation progress for ‘Hamlet’
In a separate but related development, the Golden Eagle Project has provided an update on a rehabilitated eagle known as “Hamlet”. The young bird, which previously required intensive care, has been undergoing rehabilitation with the aim of returning it to the wild.
Project staff report encouraging signs of recovery, with the eagle building strength and demonstrating appropriate behaviour for eventual release. Rehabilitation of large raptors is complex and requires specialist facilities and expertise to ensure birds can hunt, fly and survive independently once released.
Ongoing challenge
The contrast between the appeal for information over a suspected persecution case and the careful rehabilitation of another bird underlines the continuing challenges facing Golden Eagles in Scotland.
While conservation partnerships have worked to expand the species’ range and improve its long-term prospects, illegal killing remains a serious obstacle. The outcome of the injured eagle’s treatment, and the ongoing police investigation, will be closely watched by those involved in raptor conservation.
For a species that symbolises wild upland Scotland, every individual matters. The coming months will show whether this latest incident becomes another statistic - or prompts renewed focus on enforcement and protection.
February 2026
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