Category: 2026 persecution incidents

Golden Eagle found shot in Scottish Borders – Police Scotland appeals for information

Press release from Police Scotland (9 February 2026)

APPEAL AFTER GOLDEN EAGLE SHOT IN THE SCOTTISH BORDERS

Wildlife officers are appealing to the public for information after a four-year-old golden eagle was shot in the Scottish Borders.

Golden Eagle photo by Pete Walkden

On Tuesday, 20 January, 2026, police were made aware a gamekeeper from an estate in Stanhope had discovered an injured golden eagle on Thursday, 15 January, 2026.

The bird was wearing a satellite tracking device and was identified as Hamlet, a four-year-old golden eagle that had been relocated from the Outer Hebrides to the Scottish Borders in 2023.

Hamlet was examined by a vet, who confirmed shotgun pellet injuries to his wing. He received treatment and made a full recovery. Hamlet has since been returned to the wild.

X-ray showing shotgun damage to the eagle’s right wing. Photo by SSPCA via Police Scotland

Officers investigating the crime have reviewed Hamlet’s tracking data and following consultation with raptor and veterinary experts, it’s believed Hamlet was shot during the first week of January 2026 in an area between Stanhope and Glenbreck, off the A701 Broughton to Moffat Road.

Detective Sergeant David Lynn, National Wildlife Crime Coordinator, said: “It is extremely disappointing that we are investigating another golden eagle persecution crime. Very few people would have the means, opportunity and motive to commit this crime and I would urge anyone with any information to contact us so we can identify whoever is responsible for shooting Hamlet.”

Police Scotland, with the support of the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit, is conducting a thorough enquiry in the local area to identify the culprit. Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 1221 of 3 February, 2026. Alternatively, you can pass on your information anonymously to Crimestoppers using 800 555 111.

ENDS

‘Hamlet’ is the sixth victim of eagle persecution in the Scottish Borders in recent years:

Golden Eagle ‘Fred’ disappeared in an area managed for gamebird shooting in the Pentland Hills in January 2018 (his satellite tag transmitted from the North Sea a few days later – here).

Golden Eagle ‘Merrick’ was shot whilst she was sleeping in a tree next to a grouse moor in the Moorfoot Hills in October 2023 (we’re STILL waiting for NatureScot to make a decision about whether a General Licence restriction will be imposed as a consequence – see here).

Golden Eagles ‘Tarras’ and ‘Wren’ disappeared in an area managed for gamebird shooting near Langholm in August 2025 (see here).

A White-tailed Eagle ‘disappeared’ in the Moorfoot Hills area in November 2025 (here).

All six of these eagles were satellite-tagged. Nobody has been prosecuted in relation to any of these incidents.

Shot Buzzard found nr Wigginton, York

Raptor rehabilitation expert Jean Thorpe posted on social media yesterday about an injured Buzzard that was found grounded near Wigginton, York.

The Buzzard was taken to Battle Flatts Veterinary Clinic where an x-ray revealed a shotgun pellet lodged in her leg and associated feather damage.

The Buzzard is currently undergoing rehabilitation with Jean.

The Buzzard was found on 26 January 2026. If you have any information about this, or any other raptor persecution incidents in North Yorkshire, please contact the police and the RSPB Investigations Team.

Update on the shot Peregrine in Strabane, Northern Ireland

Last weekend the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) issued an appeal for information following the discovery of an injured Peregrine that had been shot and was found in a garden on Station Road, Strabane, County Tyrone on the evening of Friday 9th January 2026 (see here).

The Peregrine’s broken leg has now been pinned by a vet and the bird is being cared for by Dooletter Wildlife Rescue, who have provided the following update on social media:

Peregrine found with gunshot injuries – police appeal for information

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched an investigation and an appeal for information after a Peregrine was found with gunshot injuries in County Tyrone.

Peregrine Falcon. Photo by Pete Walkden

The Peregrine was found in a garden on Station Road, Strabane on the evening of Friday 9th January 2026. According to an article on the BBC News website, the PSNI said it was found with a leg injury and that ‘the injury was consistent with a bullet wound, which would require specialist treatment‘.

I doubt very much whether it’s a ‘bullet’ injury – it would have taken the bird’s whole leg off – much more likely to have been caused by a shotgun or an air rifle, or perhaps a catapult. Without seeing an x-ray it’s difficult to know.

According to my sources the Peregrine has a broken leg and is currently receiving expert care from an experienced wildlife rehabilitator.

18 January 2026: Update on the shot Peregrine in Strabane, Northern Ireland (here)