The eagle has returned to the Isle of Wight, where a successful program has been taking place since the summer of 2019. White-tailed eagles became extinct in the United Kingdom in the early 20th century after being poisoned and shot by rangers. Those who run shoots are often opposed to birds of prey being in the area, as when they fly over a shoot, the birds scatter. They also occasionally breed in game birds. The eagle was found dead on an anonymous property in Dorset in January, and police have launched an investigation into his death. Many environmentalists in the area suspected he had been poisoned. Toxicological results confirmed that the eagle had high levels of brodifacoum, a rodenticide, in its system. However, the police closed the investigation and will not name the estate where the dead eagle was found. A Dorset police spokesman said: “A search under section 1 of the 1981 Wildlife Act was conducted in conjunction with the RSPB, Natural England, the National Wildlife Crime Unit and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation. Detailed examinations and tests were performed on the bird, which were unclear, and therefore it was not possible to confirm that a criminal offense had been committed. “While high levels of brodifacoum were detected, it was not possible to determine whether this was the result of a deliberate act or due to secondary rodent poisoning. As a result, no further police action will be taken in connection with this report. “ Local lawmaker Chris Lauder, a Conservative, opposed the police investigation, saying the investigation into the eagle’s death was a waste of money. He also said white-tailed eagles were not welcome in Dorset. An RSPB spokesman said: “We are completely confused by the decision of the Dorset police to end the search for the white eagle so early. “Brodifacoum – the rodent venom that killed the eagle – is extremely toxic and it is clear that it was used either incompetently or with the intent to kill the eagle – whether it was illegal or not.
