Scottish Land & Estates statement on Golden Eagle disappearance

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, has echoed an appeal for information following the disappearance of a golden eagle in the Scottish Borders.

Merrick, a female golden eagle translocated by the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, went missing on October 18, 2023. The bird had been translocated in 2022 from Rottal Estate in the Angus Glens, an estate owned by SLE chairman Dee Ward.

Dee Ward, chair of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “We’re hugely disappointed to hear the circumstances of Merrick’s disappearance. We fully support the Police Scotland appeal for information regarding this incident.

“What is particularly upsetting is that this is an eagle our own family estate donated to the project.

“We’re incredibly proud of the key role estates, land managers and gamekeepers have played in the success of the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project. This incident makes us all the more passionate about continuing that support.

“Many estates across Scotland are at the forefront of addressing our biodiversity crisis and are investing heavily to help wildlife and conservation alongside their other business activities – not to mention working with NatureScot and the Scottish Government to help deliver their Net Zero objectives. Initiatives like the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project are vital to ensuring that nature thrives.”

Read the statement from the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project regarding Merrick's disappearance here.