The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has launched an investigation following the discovery of a 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.
White-tailed eagles are birds of prey who play an important role in nature and Ireland’s ecosystem.
NPWS officers have confirmed that the bird was shot and are currently waiting further results of forensic analysis that may provide additional information.
The NPWS said it “deplores the deliberate killing of rare and endangered species” and takes bird of prey persecutions extremely seriously.
White-tailed eagle
The Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, said he was also devastated by the death of “one of our beloved white-tailed eagles”.
“These majestic birds have been part of a reintroduction project to restore their populations in Ireland and to think that one would be shot is unconscionable.
“I am appealing to anyone who has information about this appalling wildlife crime to please report it to the NPWS or to the Gardaí,” the minister added.
Reintroduction Programme
As part of the reintroduction programme, white-tailed eagle chicks are fitted with satellite tags to monitor their movement.
Information from the satellite tag has indicated that the eagle shot in Co. Roscommon died sometime between Monday, March 11 evening and Tuesday morning, March 12.
Satellite information shows that the eagle was present in the area over the past couple of weeks, having travelled around the west and north of the country since her release.
The eagle left Lough Derg just over a year ago, moving south-west to the Shannon estuary and back north through the Burren and on to Lough Allen before reaching Donegal in mid-April 2023.
She also spent time on the Leitrim Cavan border. In 2024, she spent most of her time along the borders between Galway, Offaly and Roscommon, following the Shannon River and Suck River and visiting the associated callows.
Anyone who may have information that relates to the death of the white-tailed eagle can contact the NPWS by calling 01 539 3418 or Roscommon Garda Station on 090 663 8300.
Both organisations have said any information received “will be treated in the strictest of confidence”.