Investigation 'ongoing' into shooting of white-tailed eagle
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) launched an investigation following the recent discovery of this dead white-tailed eagle in County Roscommon. Pic.NPWS
The investigation into the shooting of a white-tailed eagle is on-going. The shooting, which was discovered last month, was condemned by the Ballydangan Bog Red Grouse Project, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan among others.
The NPWS launched the investigation following the discovery of the dead white-tailed eagle near Cranberry Lough in South Roscommon.
The two-year old female eagle was part of the NPWS White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Programme and was released in 2022 on the shores of Lough Derg. Investigating officers established that the bird was shot, and were awaiting further results of forensic analysis that may provide additional information.
A spokesperson for the NPWS said it continues to work closely with An Garda Siochána on the matter.
Members of the public can contact the NPWS by calling 01 539 3418 or emailing wildlifeenforcement@npws.gov.ie. Roscommon Garda Station can also be contacted on 090 663 8300. All reports will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
An award winning, local conservation project, the Ballydangan Bog Red Grouse Project said it was “horrified and saddened” about the shooting.
“The news is particularly upsetting because a white-tailed eagle has been observed frequenting the wider area in recent months, bringing optimism to the project team, “ the project said.
“The project condemns the illegal killing of any protected species as being not only irresponsible but damaging to the interest of all local communities working hard to conserve Irish wildlife.”
