White-tailed sea eagle found poisoned in Hampshire woodland

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 18:34 · Archive

A white-tailed sea eagle was found dead in Hampshire in June with rat poison brodifacoum in its liver.

A white-tailed sea eagle was found dead in woodland in Hampshire in June, with analysis confirming the presence of brodifacoum in its liver. The rat poison is commonly used to kill rodents, but can enter the food chain when predators such as eagles feed on poisoned animals.

Wildlife Poisoning Research UK (WPRUK) said the toxin was likely to have caused the bird's death. The case raises concerns about the threats facing the species, which is among the UK's largest birds of prey.

This death follows a series of white-tailed eagle poisonings in Dorset earlier in the year, which also involved brodifacoum. The pattern of poisonings has prompted questions about how the eagles are being exposed to the toxin.

Dr Ed Blane from WPRUK said the deaths demonstrated that the Government's efforts to protect wildlife were not working. The group has submitted a Freedom of Information request seeking further details about the Hampshire eagle's death and the circumstances surrounding it.

White-tailed sea eagle found poisoned in Hampshire woodland — Image: Gazette & Herald

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How it is being reported

UK's largest bird of prey found poisoned to death near WiltshireOne of the UK's largest birds of prey has been found poisoned to death near Wiltshire.Gazette & Herald · 2 Nov, 18:01
UK's largest bird of prey found poisoned to death near WiltshireOne of the UK's largest birds of prey has been found poisoned to death near Wiltshire.Wiltshire Times · 2 Nov, 18:01
UK's largest bird of prey found poisoned to death near WiltshireOne of the UK's largest birds of prey has been found poisoned to death near Wiltshire.Swindon Advertiser · 2 Nov, 18:01

In this story: white-tailed sea eagle · Hampshire · Wildlife Poisoning Research UK · Dorset · Dr Ed Blane

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