The Scottish chairman of a Perthshire-based conservation charity has described claims a dead sea eagle had been found on his estate as a “total mystery.”
Grouse moor owner Alasdair Laing, who heads the Scone-based Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, described reports that a carcass of the rare bird had been discovered on his Morayshire estate but subsequently disappeared as “fairly extraordinary.”
The landowner, who said he had never seen a sea eagle over his estate, said newspaper reports that he had been interviewed by police were wrong. He said he had a brief telephone conversation with them before Christmas, but had heard nothing since.
Sea eagles, which can have an 8ft wing span, prey on smaller creatures, including grouse.
Although their reintroduction to Scotland had some opposition, Mr Laing said that the trust had nothing against them.
A spokesman for Northern Constabulary said, “We can confirm that we received a report that a dead white-tailed sea eagle had been found on an estate in the Strathspey area on December 15. When officers visited the location, the carcass had apparently been removed.Investigation”An investigation was launched by the area wildlife crime officer, but to date no remains have been recovered. There is also no evidence as to how the bird died, given the fact there was no body.”
The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust is a charity that conducts scientific research to enhance the countryside for public benefit. For more than 75 years is has been developing game and wildlife management techniques.
It runs the highly-successful Scottish Game Fair in the grounds of Scone Palace, which is a mix of trade stands, displays and demonstrations.
Last year the fair attracted 33,000 visitors over three days. This year’s takes place from July 1-3.