Gamekeepers help pioneering charity recover golden eagle fatally injured in territorial dispute with another eagle
Press ReleaseA pioneering conservation charity restoring golden eagles to record numbers in the south of Scotland has revealed gamekeepers recently helped them recover a fatally injured golden eagle, named Percy.
As part of its ongoing commitment to openness, the charity Restoring Upland Nature (RUN), home of the groundbreaking South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, confirmed the news after all the evidence, including a pathological investigation by SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College), indicated that Percy died in a territorial combat with another golden eagle. The findings were consistent with RUN’s satellite tag data, which showed Percy flew close to an active eagle nest on the morning of 28 March before being chased and landing fatally injured on a nearby estate.
The four-year-old golden eagle, named ‘Percy’ by the Duke of Northumberland and released as a sub-adult in 2023 as part of the project’s pioneering eagle restoration programme, was found injured by gamekeepers on an estate in the Scottish Borders on 1 April 2026. Recognising the severity of his injuries, the gamekeepers immediately did what they could to care for the eagle, and contacted RUN to seek advice on his recovery. Sadly, Percy died, and his body was sent to SRUC’s Bush Campus where a pathological investigation found he died from “penetrating trauma, including fracture of the skull, typical of an eagle attack.”
This is the third time in the Project’s lifetime that the same long-established pair of native golden eagles is thought to have killed sub-adult eagles while defending their eyrie (active nest).
Speaking about the incident, Dr Cat Barlow, CEO of RUN, said: “We’re very sad to confirm Percy’s death. In natural golden eagle populations, territorial breeding eagles will attack and kill intruding sub-adults. This is what evidently happened here.
“We’re so grateful to SRUC, and to the gamekeepers who did what they could as soon as they found Percy injured. We immediately responded to the alert, but on this occasion Percy’s injuries were severe, and he died before we arrived. This highlights how much gamekeepers engaged in our work care about these majestic birds, and their vital role in supporting the recovery of golden eagles to once again soar in southern skies.
“We take great comfort in knowing that golden eagles have captured the hearts and minds of all our supporters, from conservationists and raptor workers to landowners, land managers and the wider community, including children, visitors and business operators. We thank everyone for continued painstaking support.”
Ross Ewing, Director of Moorland and Strategic Projects at Scottish Land & Estates, said: “We are very proud of the swift and responsible actions of gamekeepers who identified the injured bird, reported it promptly to RUN, and worked closely with them to ensure he had the best chance of survival. It is incredibly sad that on this occasion it was not possible to save Percy, but the response exemplifies their commitment to proactive moorland management and preserving vital habitats for local wildlife, including golden eagles.”
Mark Ewart, Regional Co-ordinator of the Southern Uplands Moorland Group, added: “We frequently spot golden eagles soaring across our region. It is rewarding to know our sector has played a key role in supporting this. Providing the right habitats for golden eagles and other species to thrive is an important part of what gamekeepers do on a day-to-day basis, as well as reporting sightings and the three territorial eagle attacks thought to have occurred during the project’s lifetime. We remain committed to preserving Scotland’s landscape and important moorland habitats for generations to come.”
More information about Percy
Restoring Upland Nature (RUN) translocated Percy (under licence) to the south of Scotland from the Isle of Lewis in 2023; he was a sub adult bird (around a year old) successfully transported using a novel translocation technique.
He was named Percy after The Duke of Northumberland’s family. The Duke was given the honour in recognition of his sustained and considerable support for the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project. His Burncastle Estate near the Lammermuir Hills became the first to build two new artificial golden eagle eyries (nesting sites).
Percy had been soaring in southern skies until his attack.
About Restoring Upland Nature
Restoring Upland Nature (RUN) is the home of the pioneering South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project and a Red Squirrel Recovery Network partner. Through their work running the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, RUN has restored the previously fragile population of golden eagles in southern Scotland to over fifty – the highest number of golden eagles seen in the area for three centuries. Most birds are still thriving in the area.
For more information or to donate to support the charity in protecting golden eagles in the south of Scotland, visit: www.goldeneaglessouthofscotland.co.uk